STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA Nation Newspaper in order to mislead the world and cast aspersions and put us in bad light to the nation? Mr Livune asked. But in his ruling, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Patrick Matibini said the Daily Nation had a constitutional right to comment on topical issues which were a subject of constant debate in the House. He said climate change was a topical issue throughout the world including Zambia, thus it had been a subject of constant comments, discussions and opinions of the public on social media, print and electronic media. He ruled that the expression of opinion in form of a cartoon by the Daily Nation did not in any way interfere with the exercise of checks and balances on the executive by UPND MPs. This was a very important decision made by the Speaker as it sets precedence for future occurrences. In a twist, it was reported in the Times of Zambia of 28th November, 2019 in a story titled “Criticise Govt Constructively-Kasolo” that the then Ministry of Information Permanent Secretary Mr. Chanda Kasolo has urged the media to criticise Government constructively by also highlighting the good things happening in the country. Of note is that Mr Kasolo stated that while criticising Government was allowed, persistent negative reports on radio stations and other media platforms had the potential to incite public anger against authorities. The paper reported that the then PS stated that: … I urge broadcasting stations in the country to aspire for the highest ethical and professional standards to avoid running into conflict with the law… uphold the fundamental tents of journalism namely truth, objectivity, fairness and balance. I am urging radio stations to avoid programmes and people that promote hate speech, tribalism, division and disunity in the country because people in communities believed what they heard on radio. 33