STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA 4.2.1 Efficient and Cheaper Internet Facility Data in the first quarter reduced as all the leading ISPs in the country reduced the data prices making access to the internet readily available to many. Further, ZICTA indicated that the number of internet users mostly through mobile phones increased with majority using the social media when online. Internet facility continues to improve following increasing access and usage of the internet among media practitioners. 4.3 Legal and Political Environment The relationship between the private media and the state has continued to be a struggle with little effort to embrace the role of the private media. Criticism by government officials continued in the first quarter with calls on the private media to stop promoting insults in the media but rather to focus on development. Media houses that are critical of government are asked to report fairly on government with ZNBC which is a public broadcaster giving positive coverage of government. 4.3.1 Legal Media practitioners are not well protected by the law. As can be seen in the first quarter, reporters who were harassed or assaulted had their cases not followed up. As a result, cadres have the audacity to harass journalists and to some extent threaten media houses and somewhat directing them on how they should publish stories. 4.3.2 Harassment, Threats and Assaults The first quarter saw a number of harassments, threats, and attacks leading to assaults. PF cadres attacked private media mostly verbally while opposition political party cadres harassed reporters affiliated to the public media. The following are some of the cases: 12