• There is ‘fatigue’ on lobbying around the Access to Information legislation which started before 2002. Now things have also changed, and emerging issues need to be adopted. Cabinet has approved the bill, but it is unclear now where the bill is, and there has been inertia on the part of the government to have it enacted. • Regional and continental co-operation and mobilisation need to be strengthened. What kinds of activities are needed over the next four years? • There is a need for an audit of laws that infringe on freedom of expression, particularly the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Acts. These infringe on the Bill of Rights. Groups need to work together to audit all laws that infringe on these rights, including the law on defamation. “The Cyber Acts have killed investigative journalism.” • Laws that infringe freedom of expression should be repealed, and alternatives developed using regional and international best practices. Regional and international instruments should be incorporated and domesticated into laws. • Media owners should find ways of valuing the media product and the journalism profession. Advertising should be given its true value with revised rates. This would lead to better salaries, and in this way, pressures that come from the political side can be resisted, and professional standards can be enforced. “It is easy to control a poor profession.” • Regarding the proposed ZNBC regulation by the IBA, a view was expressed that this would not change anything because the same person appoints both boards, and so it would merely be cosmetic. But there are moves behind the scenes for a review of the IBA act so that the IBA becomes more autonomous, without the dominating power being given to the Minister. All media houses should be treated equally and fairly. However, there are currently activities behind the scenes to harmonise the ZNBC and IBA Acts. • Unions should operate in both the public and private media spheres. MISA could also work to assist journalist’s rights in the private sector. If journalists are protected by a body that represents them, that would be the ideal situation. Media workers need a strong professional body. “The media need to speak with one voice on issues.” One should be aware that management has a fear of journalists joining such a union, so protection should be provided so that if anyone wants to join a union, they will be covered. The Ministry of Labour has suggested a minimum wage for journalists across the board. This could provide a platform to persuade owners to allow journalists to be unionised. Already when journalists face problems, there is a loose coalition of lawyers able to support them. Professional bodies ensure ethics and standards. Unionism is about the welfare of members. Strengthening both will be good. • Due to Covid, more people moved online, and so there is a need for people in this area to be safe. Media houses and media personalities should upgrade in terms of safety online. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2021 55