STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBIA “The media is the people‟s voice and government wields power on behalf of the people and the media wield power also on behalf of the people. So, the media and government want the same thing. But what usually happens is that the media in Zambia, especially private media, has decided that they will be official opposition of government,” Siliya said. “When government is found wanting, provide (media) the checks and balances but also when the media is found wanting, there must be checks and balances to protect the citizens and their government. There is legislation in the country but we are saying the legislation is not adequate now, that‟s why the Minister of Transport and Communication is talking about cyber legislation in terms of cyber-crimes and the security in terms of electronic transactions and in terms of data protection,” explained Siliya. Police in the second quarter of 2018 interfered more with media operations. Apart from cases where Zambia police interfered in a live broadcast, they also asked for footage from Prime TV following an interview in which an opposition political party featured. On 3rd June, 2018, The Mast Newspaper reported that the Police in Lusaka had written to Prime Television to release footage in which Fresher Siwale allegedly defamed President Edgar Lungu32. But Prime Television managing director Gerald Shawa says the station will not release any footage to the police until they produce a court order. New Labour Party president Siwale was last month (May, 2018) granted K10,000 bail after he pleaded not guilty of defaming President Lungu. Siwale, 57, of Chelstone, is alleged to have on April 22, in Lusaka, with intent to bring the name of the President into ridicule, published defamatory matter by word of mouth to which he said “The President of the Republic of Zambia is not the actual Edgar Chagwa Lungu but Jonathan Mutawale, he must be arrested for having three National Registration Cards, he is an identity thief”. 32 The Mast Newspaper - Police asks Prime TV for footage of Siwale interview – 3rd June, 2018 26