Executive Summary The State of the Media Report is a quarterly assessment of the media environment in Zambia. This edition covers the fourth quarter of 2021 i.e. October-December. This assessment and record describe the media trends in Zambia during the period and was prepared under the auspices of the MISA Zambia Chapter. This report includes a number of interesting occurrences that added new developments, twists and opportunities alike for the overall media environment in Zambia. The socio-political environment in the quarter posted similar trends to those observed in the third quarter, while certain aspects noted in the preceding quarters indicate a continuation in social-political activities with the potential to affect the media landscape. Two incidents of violence (at Mpika FM and Walamo Radio) were noted in the quarter. The incidents are reminiscent of those recorded in all the quarters of the year, with similar modus operandi. The COVID-19 pandemic equally continued in the quarter under review and, as such, its effects threatened the operations of the media, though less severe. The legal environment posted a positive development in the presentation of the draft ZAMEC Bill by the Technical Working Group on Media Self-Regulation, a move that is hoped to culminate into the enactment of a law to regulate and enforce media standards. On a negative note, however, the quarter under review marked another year without the enactment of the ATI Bill, while the government promised to prioritise enactment of the Bill in 2022. On the economic front, there was the favourable performance of most economic variables such as the currency exchange rates, year-on-year inflation, interest rates, business opportunities and absence of electricity load management. These factors alleviated the cost of operation for media houses with a possible increase in advertising from companies that recorded new business opportunities and increased consumer demand. Meanwhile, the increase in the fuel pump prices and migration of the ERB to monthly adjustment of prices in line with prevailing market conditions could create a volatile situation as media houses may not effectively predict costs. During the quarter, the government announced the introduction of standard taxation on newspapers as part of the 2022 budget, presenting a threat for the coming year as the cost of operating a print media outlet could increase, with a ripple effect on the consumers. The technological environment was relatively neutral and calm as there were no actions, promulgation of laws and policies that were inimical to digital rights. Likewise, there were no significant positive developments for the enhancement of the freedom of expression online. 3