STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA broadcasting. Also, encouraged people to complain against stations that they perceive to be offensive or unethical50. As at the end of the second quarter, there were a total of 175 media houses, with the following breakdown51: Television Stations Radio Stations Public Community 71 Commercial 57 TOTAL 128 Service 4 Broadcasting Subscription Content 5 Service 36 Providers Landing rights 2 TOTAL 47 Overall, the technological environment was relatively stable in both quarters and recorded some positive developments. Evidently, the first quarter had more developments than the second quarter with regard to technological and innovation. However, the status of freedom of expression online was relatively weak given the threats and numerous arrests recorded in both the first and second quarter as well as the use of arbitrary laws to stifle dissenting views. 4.0. Conclusion The review of the first and second quarters has shown that the state of the media is generally unstable despite posting certain gains in the technological environment. The impact of the issues raised in the socio-political, legal and economic environments have dire effects on the effectiveness of the media in performing their functions, especially that Zambia heads to the polls in 2021 and several critical curtain raising activities will take place in this very year. Of major concern is the socio-political and legal environment which paints a very bleak picture with regard to the media’s survival, given the vicious 50 In a questionnaire administered to IBA Director-Standards, compliance and consumer affairs, Eustace Nkandu 51 As supplied in a questionnaire sent to the Independent Broadcasting Authority pg. 44