STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA 4.0 Findings - Overview There has been an increasing debate on issues surrounding the cyber space with majority talks around its regulation. The use of the cyber space has both been abused and used positively by the public. The main highlight with news and reports around the cyber space has been the treatment of news critical of government being fake news or misinformation. 4.1 Policy and Statutory Framework 4.1.1 Cyber Space Regulation The most pronounced form of regulation reported in the media in the fourth quarter (October – December) of 2018 was the regulation of the cyber space. So far, both from the media and government, what contains fake news hasn‟t been defined making it uncertain on what exactly contains fake news. Information critical rather showing government inefficiencies is termed misinformation or „fake news.‟ Following the increase in publication of such information, calls to regulate the cyber space intensified in the last quarter of the year. From government‟s end, regulation is aimed at reducing abuse of social media. Advocates of increased access to the internet deem this as a means to punish people critical of government online. On 15th November, Lusaka Times1 cited Justice Minister Given Lubinda saying the cyber laws are not meant to curb freedom of expression. Government in the last quarter indicated the urgent need for the cyber bills to reduce the spread of fake news especially on social media. Justice Minister Given Lubinda says cyber security laws are not meant to curb freedom of expression. Mr. Lubinda says the internet is meant to improve the lives of the people. He is however saddened that some people are using the internet to harm others. Government in the same quarter indicated that it had set up a crack squad to fish out cyber criminals and fake news propagandists. Minister of Transport and Communication Brian Mushimba was quoted saying government had set up a crack squad comprising officers from Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) and other investigative wings to tackle cybercrime and fake news2. 1 2 Lusaka Times – Given Lubinda defends Cyber Laws – 15th November, 2018 Daily Nation – government will fish out Cybercriminals, fake news propagandist – 22nd November, 2018 7