constitute an informal police force that tyrannises citizens who do not toe the line or identify with the wishes of those with political influence. Citizens and journalists not only have a fear of being arrested but also of being beaten by (party) cadres who “will attack you whether you have a media card or not,” a panellist claimed. Panellists referenced a 2020 attack by party cadres who stormed and threatened to burn down a radio station for hosting an opposition party leader on one of its broadcasts. According to panellists, the cadres operate on both sides of the political divide. Zambia in general and the media specifically was not spared the wide-reaching impact of COVID-19. A flourishing media sector was brought to its knees; like elsewhere in the world, newsrooms shrunk, and print circulation dropped. Panellists expressed concern about the weakening of the media during a pandemic when access to information is a “matter of life and death” and, importantly, ahead of what is touted to be a historical election in Zambia’s history. On 9 April 2020, Zambia’s broadcasting regulator, the Independent Broadcasting Authority, cancelled the broadcasting licence of Lusaka-based television station Prime TV. According to a statement by the authority, its decision was “in the interest of public safety, security, peace, welfare or good order”. Panellists, however, held the view that the decision was prompted by Prime TV’s critical reporting of government, particularly on Bill 10. In 2019, the Zambian government introduced the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, No. 10 of 2019, otherwise known as Bill 10. They alleged that the Bill aimed at weakening oversight of the Executive by the Legislature, Judiciary and state institutions that provide checks and balances. A murky relationship exists between the national broadcaster, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA). Efforts to review the existing legislation that regulate the two bodies commenced in 2017 to bring the public broadcaster under the regulatory umbrella of the broadcasting authority. Civil society organisations, particularly MISA Zambia, have been central to this lobby which they foresee as a measure to promote and establish an independent broadcasting regulator that will act in the public interest. The IBA is mandated to collect a television levy, previously the role of ZNBC, ostensibly to enhance accountability of the Corporation. The relationship between the regulator and ZNBC is further complicated by the broadcaster’s controversial 25-year joint venture agreement with Chinese digital television provider, TopStar. The joint venture, which was initiated to facilitate digital migration of the national broadcast, affords TopStar a 60 percent share in the joint venture. This has irked other private broadcasters as TopStar appears to be playing a dual role of content distributor and provider, thus effectively creating a monopoly and unsustainable environment for local non-state broadcasters. 6 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2021