STATE OF THE MEDIA REPORT QUARTER 4, 2020 No arrests were made to establish the source of information because such announcements were in no way a threat to public safety and security. Concerning the budget process, the IMF Fiscal Transparency Code promotes releases of citizen budgets before the speech by the minister. Zambia is a member of the IMF and subscribed to the code. As a country, we must be transparent on the budget process and outputs. As the Green Party, we therefore demand immediate unconditional release from police custody of the two civil servants. We implore government to exercise maximum restraint on unleashing police force on citizens for petty procedural breaches. It is such acts by government that will diminish or even extinguish chances of securing the much sought IMF bailout package. Communique-12th November (The Mast) On 12th November, 2020 the Mast Newspaper carried a headline “MEDIA SPACE IN ZAMBIA IS SHRINKING FAST-MISA” The Media space in Zambia is shrinking very fast, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Chapter has reported . Making a presenatation at an Independent Broadcasting Authority IBA organized wor Communique-6th November (ZNBC) President Edgar Lungu has told the Zambia Police to provide an environment that will allow political players to enjoy their rights as the country heads to the 2021 general election. President Lungu said this should however not be done at the expense of peace and security. The Head of State said government will continue providing equipment which is needed for the police to maintain public order. Communique-24th November (The Mast) Information Minister Dora Siliya says it is government’s resolve to deepen and widen public access to information. Yesterday, Siliya launched two media related policies: the media development policy and government communication policy. The government policy provides among others, a framework for access to information legislation and defines the roles of different participants in government-related communication to ensure effective and coherent communication. On the other hand, the Media Development policy provides among others things, expansion of the media industry both public and private. Launching the two policies at the government complex in Lusaka, Dora Siliya and through the two policies the government expected to promote the safety of journalists. “In resonance with the aforesaid, it is government’s resolve to deepen and widen public access to information by promoting growth of a vibrant, plural and diverse media landscape in the country,” she said. “through this policy. Government further intends to promote Professional standards in the media. through this policy, government has also placed high premium on the P a g e 48 | 56