4.0. Conclusion Overall, the review in this report has shown that there has not been any significant improvement in the key thematic areas in the third quarter as compared to the second quarter, which had a continuation of some of the developments. However, the effect of the occurrences under some key thematic areas cannot be overemphasised regardless. The socio-political environment was mostly characterised by electoral activities which relied on media performing their functions. Major issues included the polarised media landscape characterised by domination of media coverage by the ruling party, especially on public media platforms. The socio-political environment also witnessed the continuation of a positive trend with only one recorded violent attack against a media practitioner. The COVID pandemic continued to affect the operations of the media by limiting their ability to interact with sources. The legal environment received a renewed shot of hope following promises made by the new UPND administration to prioritise enactment of the Access to Information Bill after nearly twenty years of advocacy and demand by various stakeholders. This promise includes allowing the media to develop and implement a media regulation mechanism that will promote media freedom and freedom of expression to continue to be enjoyed by the media and by the public through the media. The economic environment continued on a positive path with marginal improvement in certain variables that had a trickle-down effect on media outlets. The marginal improvements include appreciation of the Kwacha against some major convertible by at least 25% and insignificant reduction of the year-on-year inflation mid-way through the quarter. The absence of certain factors such as electricity loadshedding as well as the increased advertising on account of the elections helped to boost the media’s revenue generation. However, media were still reeling from the economic effects of the COVID pandemic. 37