STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA prompted government to pass SI 22 of 2020 which restricted public gatherings and promulgated various regulations aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. This included an eventual closure of bars, nightclubs and airports while facilities such as restaurants remained open on takeaway basis2. The Coronavirus outbreak affected the operations of journalists who mostly have to interact with news sources and guests. The health measures put in place, therefore, inhibited certain media activities as journalists had to work on rotational basis while adjustments had to be made in terms of gathering information from sources. The pandemic thus had a cost implication which posed a financial strain on media houses as they had to provide personal protective equipment and reduce on the number of staff. This is because the very work of journalists puts them in harm’s way especially with such a highly contagious disease. This was also confirmed by some of the journalists interviewed. For example, Cindy Sipula, a ZANIS reporter stated: The Coronavirus pandemic inhibited my performance as a journalist in that I was not able to go on the ground and get facts about an issue due to fear of contracting the virus. In order to remain relevant, I had to embrace the use of technology in sourcing news stories and pursuing sources. In the new normal, I always ensure I adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines such as wearing of face masks as I do my work The impact of the pandemic also limited the diversity of information that the media could gather and disseminate as observed by another interviewee, Macpherson Mukuka, a ZNBC journalist: The Media landscape has not been the same since the virus surfaced. We at some point got so restricted to covering COVID-19 and forgot about other issues of equal importance. It is now that we are adjusting trying to fit in and cast the net wide again. Reporting on COVID-19 has become boring. COVID-19 is another mystery in everyone's life. The fear of moving and interacting with sources made the work difficult in the first few months. But it seems we are adapting to the 'New normal'. Although things are tense now, we are subjected to doing internet based interviews, sometimes it is successful, sometimes it is not. Our local internet is very poor most of the time and this affects the deadline for submission of stories. Strategies are either Zoom or Skype 2 Airports were reopened in June while bars and nightclubs remained closed at the time of compilation of this report. pg. 10