3.5. Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security Act Discussants noted the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act as being topical with regard to media freedom online, particularly in the process of gathering news from sources. The participants noted that the provisions of the Act has instilled fear in media practitioners as they feel they are monitored by authorities in the course of their duties. As such, this has created a sense of self-censorship for media practitioners, especially when interacting with sensitive or politically exposed sources. Other discussants, however, stated that the Act was positive as it was necessary for the regulation of several vices and offences perpetuated by unscrupulous individuals online, including those masquerading as journalists. 4.0. Discussion/Analysis 4.1. Access to Information Media practitioners are a critical sector of society affected by the lack of a law on Access to Information, thereby inhibiting their ability to produce quality investigative/in-depth news. Public information (and documents) are essential for the media to fulfil their function as ‘watchdogs’ of society, in which they are expected to hold government (leaders) accountable on behalf of the citizenry. According to a handbook for Southern Africa by Limpitlaw (2012:37), it is generally held that public bodies hold information as custodians of the public good and as such everyone has the right of access to information held by public bodies. It is for this reason that implicit in the provision on freedom of expression in Article 20 of the Zambian Constitution is access to information2. It is, therefore, no wonder that the lack of an ATI law presents limitations on the work of journalists. During the period under review, no progress was recorded and this is not a surprise as it is reminiscent of the Bill’s twenty-year old journey since it was first mooted in 2002. The journey has been filled with several promises of 2 See https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/26620/90492/F735047973/ZMB26620.pdf 12