STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA Following heavy criticism of social media post by government, three bills to monitor and regulate the use of social media as well as the internet have been formulated and are yet to be enacted. Media houses especially the private media have received more criticism from government official and cadres. Private media houses unlike public media have continued striving for balanced coverage which has led to some media houses named notorious by Higher Education Minister Nkandu Luo11. 4.4 Progress on Enactment of Access to Information Bill Media advocates calling for the early enactment of the ATI bill have continued engaging government for early enactment. Following the announcement by the President’s Press Aid Amos Chanda that the bill was ready for review in parliament, the Human Rights Commission12 (HRC) was hopeful that the bill would finally be enacted. Further, Zitukule Consortium called for the speedy enactment of the bill. Zitukule Consortium13 Executive Director Nicholas Phiri observed that several new bills had been given priority over the ATI which had been in the process of review for more than a decade. “Several new bills have come and seen the light of day while the ATI Bill continues to gather dust. It wouldn‟t be surprising if the Political Party Bill, which only came in 2017 and the Proposed Cyber Laws see the light of day before the ATI Bill which was started in 2002 has its day in parliament. “As Zitukule Consortium, we wish to advise the government to see beyond their skepticism and see the ATI as a law which is in interest of both the state and the citizens. We are convinced that the enactment of the ATI Bill into law will significantly address the growing mistrust and suspicion between citizens and the government. It will help to rebuild and restore public confidence in institutions of governance and governance processes in Zambia.” 11 st The Mast Newspaper 21 March, 2018: Mast, Diggers, Prime and Muvi are notorious institutions – Luo th The Mast Newspaper 19 February, 2018: HRC Hopes ATI Bill Will Be Availed For Final Review 13 st The Mast Newspaper, 1 March, 2018: Zitukule Calls For Speedy Enactment Of ATI Bill 12 16