STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA 4.2 Economic and Technological Environment A curious piece of information contained in the 2016 Auditor General’s Report revealed that 145 radio stations in the country had expired broadcasting licences. 11 The net result of the expired licences translated into a loss of K2 241 730 in uncollected licence revenue in 2016. During the fourth quarter, the Zambia Daily Mail Limited appeared to have stirred into both strategic and tactical modes. First the company decided to trim its staff to a lean but optimum level and to start running a radio station. The company’s decision to reduce staff through a voluntary separation scheme in order to save on staff costs prompted the Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) to once implore the government to consider privatising the public media. PAZA president, Mr Andrew Sakala suggested that the government should consider the option of allowing the public media to go into private hands rather than having to cut jobs through voluntary separation.12 The Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Ms Kampamba Mulenga on the other hand stated that the government had no plans to privatise public media houses in spite of the enormous challenges the public media was facing. She, in fact, gave full backing to Zambia Daily Mail’s voluntary separation scheme. Ms Mulenga also expected Zambia Daily Mail Limited employees that were nearing retirement to apply for the voluntary separation.13 The Minister said the government would turnaround the Zambia Daily Mail, the Times of Zambia, the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) and the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation. Her view was that the turnaround process was intended to make the four public media houses viable by reducing the blotted work force. Zambia Daily Mail Radio Station It was interesting to learn that during the fourth quarter, the Zambia Daily Mail Limited decided to explore the possibility of running a radio station. The company decided to advertise for 11 ToZ 145 radio stations licences expire 20 November 2017 p.1 The Mast Privatise Daily Mail, don’t cut jobs – PAZA 6 October 2017 p.7 13 The Mast Govt can’t privatise the Daily Mail – Kampamba 9 October 2017 p.7 12 11