On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, Togo’s High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication, HARC, began discussions with content creators, influencers and online platform managers as part of its new mandate to regulate digital media.
The meeting is intended to help content creators and platform operators better understand their rights and obligations under rules that now place social media within HARC’s remit.
Education Before Enforcement
As it begins implementing the new mandate, HARC is initially focusing on prevention. It plans to organize training programs and awareness sessions for bloggers, YouTubers, TikTok creators, web activists and others working in digital media.
The aim is to promote more professional standards and help content creators better understand the legal framework governing their activities.
“Social media has become a genuine space for free expression. But those same spaces can also be used to spread false information, manipulate public opinion, violate privacy, disseminate hate messages or circulate content that could erode trust in institutions,” HARC President Pitalounani Telou said.
HARC says the goal is to balance freedom of expression with compliance with the rules governing communication in Togo.
Expanding Oversight of Social Media
HARC is also using the initiative to remind digital content creators and platform operators that their activities are subject to regulation. They are expected to comply with applicable legal and regulatory provisions or face penalties under the law.
For now, however, the regulator is focusing on outreach and awareness to encourage a better understanding of those rules. The initiative comes as digital activity continues to expand in Togo. HARC says a clearer understanding of the legal framework should help content creators operate within the law while preserving freedom of expression online.
Esaïe Edoh