STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA Lusaka Voice (an online publication) and the Patriotic Front Party12. Both government (including regulators) and media houses must see each other as partners in development and facilitation of democratic governance. According to the Independent Broadcasting Authority, one of the regulatory challenges observed was summarised as follows: The concept of regulation itself has not been fully understood. Some licensees fail to understand why the broadcasting sector must be regulated. There is a notion that regulation stifles press freedom. On the success side, the authority has managed to increase the number of broadcasting houses. Further, there is a general improvement in the quality of broadcasting but more needs to be done13. 3.1.1. Access to Information Bill, ZAMEC Bill and Constitutional Amendment Bill With regard to legislation, there was no significant development on the Access to Information and Zambia Media Council Bills in both quarters and the status remained the same as reported in the 2019-fourth quarter State of the Media report. The ZAMEC Bill was submitted to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting following media consultative processes by the Technical Working Group (TWG) that culminated into the drafting of a proposed media self-regulation Bill. The development of the media regulation framework is a positive move that will help to guarantee professionalism in the journalism fraternity and ensure the development of the media sector, especially in view of the many violations and attacks. However, given the occurrences in the two quarters under review, it is important that the content and framework of the Bill are safeguarded to avoid creating a monster that could eventually swallow the fraternity’s independence, especially given the controversy surrounding some of the actions of institutions such as the IBA. It is also prudent that 12 In January, 2020, the Lusaka High Court entered judgment in default of appearance and defence against PF Secretary-General Davies Mwila in a case where Lusaka Voice Newspaper Limited sued him, claiming over K300, 000 for campaign advertorials and adverts placed in its publication during the 2015 presidential election. The action was later contested by the PF. 13 In a questionnaire administered to IBA Director-Standards, compliance and consumer affairs, Eustace Nkandu pg. 17