CHAPTER 5: SIGNIFICANT THEMES 2016 AMB Positive developments noted in this AMB included an increased number of media houses, increased media diversity and quality of news coverage, enhanced training opportunities for journalists, a greater understanding of the role of the media, and the legal support extended to journalists by civil society. Negative developments included state restrictions on media coverage of political stories and the dramatic increase in social media use without established standards. The AMB recommended free legal support for journalists due to high litigation rates, combating media corruption and improving journalists’ working conditions, more training on newsworthiness and the observation of professional standards, and conducting more research on media issues. Zambia 2013 AMB Positive developments in this AMB included the introduction of new media organisations, the growth of internet and mobile phone usage, the introduction of blogs which expanded the public sphere, improved access to radio stations through the use of mobile phones, the movement of several community radio stations online, and unanimity on media laws that require reforms. Negative developments included the harassment of journalists, declining professional standards, unethical social media usage, government aversion towards criticism, decreased diversity, and increased self-censorship in the media. The AMB recommended a commitment to make the media’s self-regulatory body (the Zambia Media Council or ZAMEC) operational, dealing with falling professional standards, the transformation of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) into a public broadcaster, auditing available training and gaps in training, as well as lobbying the government to implement the ICT Policy. 2017 AMB This AMB noted various developments in the country’s media scene. On a positive note, some new newspapers, including The Daily Nation, were introduced; and momentum on Access to Information legislation was maintained. The negative developments included closing media-related websites, increased violence during election periods, and the victimisation and intimidation of media activists and union leaders. This AMB recommended that strong media institutions were required to 43 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER 11 YEARS IN REVIEW