STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA 3.0 Executive Summary of media events during the Fourth Quarter The State of the Media in Zambia the previous year has taken a different direction with regards to policy. Policies aimed at fostering and promoting press freedom have not been mentioned as before. In the fourth quarter of 2018 for instance, did not have media reports touching on access to information rather dwelt on reports surrounding the need to regulate the online media. Mostly calls came from government official stating that the cyber space was being used by politicians to promote „fake news and misinformation to the public. In the period under review, it is worth noting that government advocacy for regulation of the cyber space increased. The Minister of Justice, Transport and Communication, and Information and Broadcasting Services at different times in the quarter indicated the need for government to enact the cyber laws. Despite the argument that the cyber laws are aimed at protecting government from criticism, government argues that the bills are aimed at prohibiting abuse of the online platforms. From government view, the laws are aimed at reducing fake news, misinformation and not hinder freedom of expression or access to the internet. The quarter under review saw calls from the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Dora Siliya for the media to consider regulating itself. She suggested on several occasions that the media should consider pushing for a law to govern itself like other professions such as medicine and law among other professions. She said that way the profession will be protected in that it will have professional journalists with a media background. The clarity of information on the „sale‟ of ZNBC seem to remain unclear as government and information presented in the media is not consistent. For instance, Dora Siliya says, by the Act of Parliament, ZNBC cannot merge with any private media. Prior to her statement, CCPC confirmed and announced a merger between ZNBC and Startimes‟ Hantext Corporation, a Chinese firm. In the quarter, cases on defamation directly involving media personnel reduced. Instead, public figures sued each other on grounds of defamation. Further, attacks and threats on journalists surfaced in the media where football fans attacked three 3 journalists among other attacks on journalists. All in all the quarter saw heightened usage and to some extent abuse of the online space in the name of freedom of expression online. 6