I n 2014, Zambia’s media sector continued to witness a gap between the liberal promises made by the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) government and the dawning reality of the constraints of the media’s working and policy environment. While the party promised in 2011 to liberalise the airwaves and allow radio and television stations to broadcast countrywide, then Republican President Michael Chilufya Sata dressed-down Ministry of Information Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba for issuing nationwide broadcast licenses to two privately owned radio stations, Q FM and Radio Phoenix. The decision was immediately reversed and the Permanent secretary later retired. Major events of the year included the secrecy surrounding the president’s health and his subsequent death in the later part of the year, despite continued assurances from senior cabinet and government officials of his good health. This development brought into question the need to strike a balance between giving out important information in the public interest whilst remaining sensitive to national security. There had also been threats of arrest and cancellation of licenses of any media outlet discussing the President’s alleged ill health. Additionally, the year saw a vicious clampdown on online media with some websites remaining inaccessible for extended periods while continuing to operate anonymously. Those associated with the online sites (directly or indirectly) were arrested and prosecuted on an assortment of charges. Generally, there was continued polarisation of the media with occasional outbursts between two of the prominent daily newspapers in their editorials. The legal environment remained much the same save the successful annulment of the law on publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public, in a lengthy case in which the state dragged to court a daily newspaper editor and a civil society activist. In the midst of the controversy surrounding the constitution making process, some headway was made as the country’s newly appointed Justice Minister released the final draft constitution, which was earlier censored and withdrawn. Fortunately, the final draft had favourable legislation for the media such as an explicit guarantee of media freedom, access to information and freedom of expression among others. FREE EXPRESSION AND THE LAW Government commits to improving media freedom Despite the many challenges, government showed some commitment towards the operationalisation of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) by appointing the Board and Director General. However, concerns were still raised on the authority’s independence, as it was directly appointed by the Minister of Information. Also, government embarked on recapitalisation of the public media with a view to making them self-sustainable and profitable. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION Government continues to stall tabling of access to information bill Very little change was observed under efforts towards the enactment of the So This is Democracy? 2014 79