Executive Summary The State of the Media-topical study is an in-depth presentation of selected issues affecting the media’s operating environment in a given period. This edition covers the period January-June and highlights various issues that had potential to affect the role of the media in the period under review. The rationale of the study is the nexus between a good operating environment for the media and the facilitation of democratic governance, access to information and freedom of expression. On the Access to Information Bill, the study concludes that there has not been any meaningful progress evidenced by the promissory notes given by government, as well as indication of undertaking nationwide consultations which will further stall the enactment of the Bill. It is clear that the culture of promises and stalling with regard to the Bill (as evidenced by a list of promises adduced from 2011 to date) is still rife and may be a norm under the New dawn administration if no clear roadmap and commitment is given. With regard to media regulation, the study holds that there is a level of consensus on the need for regulation of the practice of journalism given the lack of professionalism and mushrooming of impersonators among many other reasons. There is, however, a need to review the process of enactment of the Bill to ensure it is fully representative and does not usher in an era of statutory regulation given the lack of a clear regulatory philosophy, evidenced by the misnomer “statutory-self regulation” which has been the mantra of the Bill. Further, there are concerns on the possibility of regulating a stifled profession. This is evidenced by the withdrawal of some stakeholders from the process, including apprehensions on the content of the Bill by other stakeholders. Other topics considered include the Cybercrimes and Cyber Security Act which remains an issue of concern given its various provisions that have instilled fear in media practitioners as they frequently conduct their work within the bounds of several offenses defined by the Act. This can be noted 3