STATE OF THE MEDIA REPORT QUARTER 4, 2020 The lack of a specific stimulus package targeted at media enterprises as key drivers of democracy and access to information remained an issue of concern throughout the quarter. Other factors such as continued electricity load shedding exacerbated the situation and overstretched the thin resources on which the media outlets relied. Finally, the technological environment was relatively more positive than that recorded in the second and third quarters, particularly in view of the fewer number of violations and arrests with regard to freedom of expression online. The quarter witnessed positive developments and steps towards the enhancement of mobile and internet technology services as precursors for the possible introduction of 5G network in Zambia, a move that will further digitise media activities and improve citizen access to information. The quarter was, however, dented by allegations of possible deployment of spyware for the interception of calls, text messages and location data, a move which if not disproved is likely to have a chilling effect. These findings among other data compiled in the course of the study formed the conclusion on the state of the media in the quarter under review. Overall, the state of the media featured trends similar to the previous quarter despite some marginal positive gains posted in certain variables in some of the key thematic areas under consideration. P a g e 7 | 56