4.0 Conclusion The review in this report has shown that there has been notable improvement in some of the key thematic areas in the fourth quarter as compared to the first quarter. However, the effect of the occurrences under key thematic areas cannot be overemphasised regardless. The socio-political environment did not record any major violations or inhibitions of freedom of the press through violent attacks by political party cadres, save the burning of parts of Kalungwishi Radio in Chiengi District by unknown persons. The quarter witnessed positive developments in pronouncements made by President Edgar Lungu on protection of the media as well as the implementation of practical security training for journalists. On a negative note, though, the quarter witnessed the resurgence of a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with renewed restrictions that constrained the work of journalists and media outlets. The legal environment did not record any major development. As predicted in the previous quarter, the Access to Information Bill was not presented to Parliament, marking nearly twenty years of a campaign for the enactment of the law. In the economic environment, a similar trajectory was recorded with regard to most of the economic variables which posed a negative scenario that inhibited the growth of media outlets given the high cost of doing business. Finally, in the technological environment, a major development was noted in the launch of the National Cyber Security Policy that is expected to guide and promulgate various strategies aimed at securing the online space. Overall, the second quarter posted a more positive outlook than the first quarter given certain improvements itemised above. State of the Media in Zambia 19