State of the media report July - Dec 2022 government or other powerful institutions. Therefore, it is important to address the ethical challenges that journalists face, including the need for stronger codes of ethics and improved mechanisms for accountability. The challenges faced by journalists in Zambia are complex and multifaceted. While political and state interests may not be the primary concern for many journalists, the ethical considerations highlighted by the respondents remain significant obstacles to press freedom. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both the systemic and ethical challenges facing the media in Zambia. By doing so, we can ensure that journalists are able to do their work freely, and that press freedom is protected and upheld as a fundamental pillar of democracy. 2. Communication and Procedure: It was observed that the journalists who did not provide IDs to the police were not formally communicated to regarding their detention. This raises concerns about the communication and procedures followed by the police during detentions. It highlights the need for clear and consistent procedures for police to follow when detaining journalists, including proper communication with the detained journalist and timely notification to their employers and legal representatives. 3. Previous Experience: Three out of seven journalists had covered similar incidents but were not detained. This suggests that police behavior towards journalists may be inconsistent and arbitrary, and underscores the need for better training and guidelines for law enforcement officials. It also highlights the importance of documenting and reporting incidents of police interference with journalists, to identify patterns and hold police accountable for their actions. 3. Collaboration between Police and Journalists: This was a common voice among the respondents. The alluded that police should work better with journalists, give them space, acquaint themselves with how the media operates, and work side by side with journalists. This suggests that there is a need for better collaboration and understanding between police and journalists, which can help to prevent incidents of interference and promote greater respect for press freedom. It underscores the importance of training for both police and journalists, to improve communication, mutual understanding, and respect for each other’s roles and responsibilities. 4. Knowledge of Law: Only one out of the seven journalists was aware of the law that protects journalists, indicating a lack of knowledge and awareness among the journalists about their rights and the laws that protect them. This suggests a need for more education and training among journalists about their legal rights and protections. 5. Detention Reasons: Five of the journalists were detained for “unlawful assembly” while covering a protest. This raises questions about the police’s understanding and respect for press freedom, as journalists have the right to cover protests and events of public interest without being subject to detention. The fact that two of the journalists were detained for “obstruction of the police” also raises concerns about the arbitrary nature of police actions and the need for clear guidelines and training for law enforcement officials. 6. Complaints and Redress: None of the journalists reported the police behavior to seek redress. This indicates a lack of trust in the justice system or a fear of retaliation, which can discourage journalists from reporting on sensitive issues and ultimately undermine press freedom. It also highlights the need for better mechanisms to report police misconduct and protect journalists from retaliation for reporting on sensitive issues. 7. Experience of Journalists: The highest number of years of experience in the media industry among those who faced police detention was 15 years and the lowest was 1 year. This 25