STATE OF THE MEDIA REPORT QUARTER 4, 2020 policy makes pronouncements on the shortcomings of public media outlets with regard to coverage of dissenting views, the legal framework already exists in which a clear editorial policy for institutions such as ZNBC is outlined but implemented in a preferential manner. Likewise, the Government Communication Policy is a step forward and aims to promote proactive disclosure of public information and facilitating a coordinated approach to government communication. The policy’s objectives are to promote public access to information to enable citizens effectively participate and contribute to national development as well as to promote coherent communication of public information by public service workers and government officials in order to avoid contradictions and inconsistencies. The policy is a positive development with regard to advocacy for the enactment of a law on access to information which has stalled in Zambia for over eighteen years with several governments providing various excuses. While the policy seems to promulgate public access to information in one breath, the measures suggested in another seem to do the opposite. For instance, the first measure under the second objective is to “strengthen mechanisms of secrecy and confidentiality in the public service”. Other measures under the first objective are not explicit with regard to the enactment of legislation on access to information, a cardinal need. However, it is arguable that policies and laws go hand in hand and, thus, stakeholders will await the eventual enactment of an actual law on access to information, which can and will compel (and mandate) public institutions to make information available upon request. It is unfortunate that another year has elapsed without enactment of the ATI law, adding to the seventeen years of incoherent government positions on the matter. Overall, the legal environment in the fourth quarter was mainly tainted by the arrest of individuals on laws that are inimical to the freedom of expression and access to information. The quarter also witnessed the development of policies aimed at improving the media and communication environment as well as relatively positive developments with regard to the Transparency assessment rankings. This is much similar to the status of the legal environment in the second and third quarters which equally recorded development of laws such as the Media Council Bill. However, the Access to Information Bill remains elusive as seen in the quarter under review. This was the trend in the other three quarters, completing another year without any meaningful progress on the enactment of the Bill. This was against a backdrop of promissory statements from the government. P a g e 27 | 56