At this point, it is not very clear if the switch to digital migration has been successful or not as it seems like there is no difference since both analogue and digital systems are working simultaneously. There have been reservations from private broadcaster as to how government arrived at awarding ZNBC the signal distributor license since it is also a content provider. Many fear direct government interference in their broadcasting through ZNBC. If, for example, TV station X is perceived to be anti-government or perceived to be supporting an opposition political party, then it will be easy for government to interfere in their broadcasting by frustrating or cutting off their signal and blame the interruption on faulty equipment or lack of electricity. The Information and Broadcasting Minister announced in parliament that ZNBC would be the signal distributor as an interim measure because of the time and resources it would take for a private company to set up as signal distributor. He did not specify how long the “interim” period will be since ZNBC had been given a full license that should run for 10 years. The policy allows for two signal distributors; a public signal distributor and a private signal distributor and government needs to be clear on the path we will take so that private broadcasters know how to proceed. One great opportunity that comes of this is that there will be need for local content development. This will give local production houses an opportunity to be producing content for sale to broadcasting houses. In fact, government will set up a Content Development Fund to ensure development of local content as broadcasters need to comply with having 35% local content. 2.3.2 Kambwili justifies journalist beatings Officiating at the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, Information Minister Chishimba Kambwili told journalists that cadres were beating them up because they were continuously writing negative stories on President Edgar Lungu. The following is an extract from Mr. Kambwili’s key note speech; “I will be failing in my duties if I do not respond to the concerns that were raised by your organising committee chairperson. I will start with the most controversial one, beating up of journalists. Let me say that whatever the circumstance, there is absolutely no reason why people should harass and beat journalists. On behalf of the government, and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to condemn in strongest terms the attitude by some political party cadres whether from PF, UPND, MMD or any political party to continue harassing journalists when they come to cover events. “Having said that, let me say that the media also must be responsible enough and observe the ethics of journalism. You must realize that these cadres are only human beings who also have feelings and when you act in a manner that is against your own ethics, they are bound to react, although this reaction must not be encouraged. It must be condemned. Surely, there are some 15