STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA The British High Commissioner accredited to Zambia, Fergus Cochrane-Dyet says Solar power has the potential to transform lives of millions of people who are still living off the grid. Speaking when Azuri Technologies, a leading provider of pay-as–you-go solar home solutions to offgrid households across Africa, officially launched as 24-inch solar satellite television and home lighting system in Zambia, High Commissioner Cochrane-Dyet said Azuri embodied the pioneering spirit of innovation for which the UK was globally renowned. The paper further reported that: The British envoy said the launch in Lusaka showcase the cutting-edge technology and expert services that British firms could offer to rapidly expanding markets across Africa. “Azuri embodies the pioneering spirit of innovation for which the UK is globally renowned. The launch today shows cases the cutting-edge technology and expert services that British firms can offer expanding Markets Across Africa. Azuri is a leading commercial provider of pay-as-you-go solar home solutions across Sub-Saharan Africa. The news of Azuri TV package is an exciting development for Zambia as the innovation brings with it a 24-inch solar TV with 49 popular Zuku satellite Television and over 50 radio channels. According to the company, Azuri comes complete with solar home lighting, rechargeable radio, torch and mobile phone charging. The complete package costs as low as K98 per week. The coming of Azuri on the scene would contribute to efforts at improving access to information in Zambia, however, it is important to do a cost benefit analysis of the need for people to pay K98 per week translating to K360 per month. This will help in the decision making process of adopting the technology. Another positive recorded in the area of technology advancement was the village Television Project that was reported to have potential to empower about 500 selected villages, Schools and other community centres across the country to receive the Village Satellite Television sets under the village Television Project. On 14th May, 2019, The Lusaka Times publication carried a headline, “Kasolo Happy with Village TV Project” The paper reported that: Government has described the Village Television Project as successful and yielding intended results. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary (PS) Chanda Kasolo says the project is helping people in the rural areas to be part of everyday social and economic development of the country. 27