State of the media report July - Dec 2022 2.0 METHODOLOGY 2.1 RESEARCH DESIGN AND APPROACH This research used both exploratory and descriptive research design. It used descriptive research with the aim to systematically obtain information on phenomena which had an impact on media freedom. Qualitative and Quantitative approaches were used to collect data. Through this type of research, the report specifically answers what key incidents impacted media freedom, when such phenomena occurred, where it happened, and how such incidents took place in relation to media freedom. Further through deploying exploratory research, the report was able to establish clearly factors that could have led to the incidents that affected media freedom. Through this type of research key incidents that impacted media freedom were established including why such incidents happened and how they happened and affected media freedom. 2.2 SAMPLING TECHNIQUES This study deployed purposive sampling because of the nature of the study which is sector specific and topic specific. Therefore, affected specific persons or involved specific institutions were targeted in this research. The study was looking at key phenomena that impacted media freedom in the last half of 2022 and hence focused on persons or institutions affected or involved in the incidents under study as they related to media freedom. Therefore respondents included affected journalists, media advocacy bodies and institution like the Zambia Police and Political parties which were party to the incidents under study. Further available policy makers were also part of the sample of this study that had relevance to the topics. 2.3 DATA COLLECTION TOOLS/ RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS Open Ended Questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data from both private and public media institutions. Interview Guide was used to collect qualitative data from the Zambia Police, Journalists, Policy makers, Lawyers and United Party for National Development- Youth Wing(UPND). 2.4 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES. Primary sources of information was collected from MISA –Zambia Alert, Television and Radio Stations as well as the Ministry of Information and Media. Secondary sources was collected from journal articles, books, peer revised article from the newspapers. 2.5 DATA ANALYSIS Data was analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis were major themes drawn and coded 9