STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA REPORT 2021 54 However, there are still concerns that the new government is continuing with the culture of shutting out the private media from State events. The new government has also continued with a tight grip on the public media and perpetuating the culture of a polarised media landscape. INTERNET ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY As of December 2020, there were 10.3 million internet users in Zambia, representing a 57.6 percent penetration rate, according to the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA). (5) In contrast, estimates from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) identify an internet penetration rate of 14.3 percent as of 2018, while a DataReportal Digital in 2021 report identified an internet penetration rate of 29.4 percent. The vast majority of internet users in Zambia rely on mobile internet subscriptions, with 10.2 million subscribers as of December 2020, according to ZICTA data. (6) MEDIA REGULATION In May 2019, journalists in Zambia met under the auspices of the Media Liaison Committee (MLC) and unanimously resolved to adopt a statutory self-regulatory mechanism. The resolution was influenced by the government’s threat that if journalists did not regulate themselves, the State would formulate a law to regulate them. The MLC, therefore, constituted a Technical Working Group (TWG) led by chairperson Ernest Chanda on media regulation, which is pursuing the goal of self regulation for Zambian media. Although voluntary regulation is the recommended option, journalists acknowledged that such a system has failed them twice before. They, therefore, decided to have some form of a hybrid model, that is, a combination of various forms of self-regulation — picking the best from each and putting them together. It was also resolved that the media would form a professional body to be called the Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) — a process that led to the crafting of the Zambia Media Council Bill 2019. The lobbying continues and represents the untied front by Zambian journalists in support of self regulation of the local media industry. SURVEILLANCE AND PRIVACY OF ONLINE COMMUNICATION The previous regime of Edgar Lungu hurriedly enacted the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act 2021, which imposes limitations on free speech by going to the extent of policing the use of social media by citizens. It allows the authorities to tap into ICT devices and to confiscate electronic gadgets without proper procedural safeguards. There are fears that if not amended or repealed the law would be abused by the new administration.