STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBA just going to be a burden to the already overburdened and overtaxed Zambian citizen due to the lack of foresight or due consideration by those charged with managing the broadcast media sector. It is interesting to also note that instead of having a smooth transition through the digital migration process, such occurrences may only hinder well intended actions, but probably wrongly executed. Instead of giving the listenership and viewership a diverse and rich offering at a more affordable and accessible pace and rate, such manoeuvres may end up frustrating future growth of the sector. Potential investors are most likely watching the developments keenly to try and understand the risks and advantages wrought in the sector. This back and forth and challenges will only end-up delaying the complete switch-over to digital broadcasting and with it delay to given the Zambian citizenship a deserved full benefits of such a technological advancement. Despite the challenges the media was facing during the quarter, government expressed confidence that the long-drawn out ATI bill enactment would recommence. In a statement, Minister of Justice Given Lubinda said the ATI Bill is ready for the public to have a look at it. He further said that the Ministry of Justice was engaging other line ministries so that the draft bill is made available. This statement in itself, and at face value seems to suggest that probably government is pressing the re-activation button as the entire ATI Bill enactment process has been dragging on since the early 2000’s without its logical conclusion in sight. It has been a back and forth without any solid steps and political will on the part of the government to finally settle the matter by enacting a long overdue piece of legislation. One can only hope that against all odds, this time around this shall truly come to pass. That the ATI Bill will soon become law, in the life of this current parliament. Within the same quarter, the Zambian media joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Radio Day under the theme; “Public Participation: radio is you” In the period under review, Dr. Fred M’membe took judge Sunday Nkonde to the Judicial Complaints Commission for alleged gross misconduct in the Post liquidation matter. Research established that Dr. M’membe had earlier written to the Chief Justice and judge-in-charge of the commercial court asking that judge Nkonde stops presiding over the matter between The Post Newspapers Limited and Andrew Chiwenda and others. In his letter to the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC) dated February 10, Dr. M’membe stated that it was gross misconduct for judge Nkonde to sit to determine a matter involving a company he tried to destroy a mere five years ago. He stated that in spite of not having been 9|Page