STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA Introduction The State of the Media is a quarterly report with a collection of trends and developments in the media sector as compiled by the MISA Zambia Chapter. The report serves as an advocacy tool for media policy reform as well as an archive of information which can be used for reference on media developments in Zambia. The report has previously helped to shape policy formulation with regard to media freedom, freedom of expression and access to information in Zambia. The report, which has been published quarterly for over fifteen (15) years, serves as a tool for dialogue and action in the media fraternity, government and non-governmental sectors alike. The rationale of the report is based on the corollary between media performance of certain cardinal functions and democratic governance. However, the media are affected by various trends and developments that could undermine their performance. In this regard, the report is divided into various sections covering the sociopolitical, economic, legal and technological environment in which the media operated in the period under review. The objectives of the report are, therefore, to: Report political, economic, legal and technological trends in the media sector in Zambia Assess the level of freedom of expression and media freedom 1.0. Methodology The report is exploratory and descriptive in nature as it mainly aims to present the general state of the media sector in the identified quarters. In compiling the report, a document review was conducted in which an analysis of various materials pertaining to freedom of expression and the welfare of the media within the quarters under consideration. This was augmented by a content analysis of various media publications (electronic, pg. 6