STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2022 new government. The major challenge on the media scene is the polarisation with media outlets reporting in extremes. Journalists tend to report for or against the establishment and there is not enough analysis. This is starting to change and investigative journalism is a growing field. Existing laws make it challenging for journalists to access information and the Penal Code 1955 is an enduring threat, which has resulted in many journalists practicing self-censorship INTERNET ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY Poor infrastructure and high mobile telecommunications tariffs have inhibited the practice of rural reporting. Mobile telephony operators, for instance, are quite reluctant to deploy equipment in remote areas without electricity supplies due to costly overheads. High costs of data and poor communication infrastructure have largely made internet access a luxury for many. According to Statica, one gigabyte of mobile internet in Zambia costs, on average, US$1.36 dollars in 2022. Out of 47 plans measured in Zambia, the lowest price observed was US$0.45 per 1GB, for a 30 day plan whereas the most expensive plan, 1GB cost US$30.60.(9) According to Datareportal, there were 5,47 million internet users in Zambia in 2022. Internet penetration stood at 28,5% of the total population in 2022.(10) Digital rights are not yet enshrined in Zambian law and, hence, citizens rely on international human rights instruments in exercising these rights. SURVEILLANCE AND PRIVACY OF ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS The Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security Act, which authorises the state to monitor private 64 citizens has been criticised by online content creators as violating the right to privacy. For media and journalists, such laws derail their ability to carry out investigative reporting and play their watchdog and agenda setting role adequately. GENDER AND THE MEDIA The media tend to pay less attention to covering issues impacting youth, women and children and even then the coverage favours men, whereas women tend to be negatively portrayed. The media ecosystem in Zambia is male dominated and as such it is rare to find female journalists in senior positions in newsrooms. The introduction of the Women In News initiative under WAN-IFRA is playing a critical role in mentoring women journalists so they contribute significantly and impactfully in changing the newsroom power dynamics. One of the major challenges in the industry is the high levels of harassment targeting women in newsrooms. There is also sexual harassment among young female journalists, especially private media institutions. Young women journalists are particularly vulnerable and are at risk of being fired when they refuse to give in to their senior colleagues. CONTENT CREATORS The relationship between traditional media and citizen journalists or other online content creators has, since the emergence of the latter, been defined by suspicion and uneasiness. Technological changes have resulted in ethical violations leading to calls for more regulation of the profession. Delays in reaching a common position within the Zambia Ethics Council (ZAMEC) Bill, speaks volumes of the subtle animosity between the emerging content creators and legacy media. COMMUNITY RADIO Community Radio stations are critical key players in access to information, as they