STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA 1.0 Introduction The State of the Media in Zambia is a quarterly report based on the assessment of events touching on the environment under which the media operated during the period under review. This report summarises the conditions under which media houses and media practitioners operated between January and March 2018. Particular attention is given to political, economic, technological and legal environments as well as any other pertinent factors influencing the performance of the media industry in Zambia. In addition, the report reflects the main topical national issues that arose during the period and how the media reported these in its role of ensuring that the public was fully informed. The quarterly report is prepared by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Chapter. The report helps to cumulatively document major developments in the media industry in Zambia and to flag off any negative trends requiring remedial measures by both MISA Zambia and other major stakeholders. 2.0 Methodology The first quarterly report of the State of the Media in Zambia is essentially based on careful review and analysis of materials that were available during the first quarter (January – March) of 2018 containing information that had an impact and influenced the operations of the media in Zambia. The materials reviewed included news reports, press statements and MISA Zambia media alerts published from January to March 2018. Interviews with selected media personnel through questionnaires were also used as a source of information necessary for the report. Further an analysis of media institutions with online presence was conducted, with particular attention to their news updates and interactions with readers. Efforts were made to engage various selected broadcasting stations for recorded news-casts for purposes of monitoring. Furthermore, in-depth interviews with journalists from different media institutions were employed to get more information on how the media operated in the first quarter with attention to the environment of operation and how they were affected. Some journalists responded on time while other did not respond to the request. 5