STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBA Experts suggested that a continued trend of media suppression from the ruling party during the period under review has forced the media to practice self censorship in order to avoid closure or suspension of their operation licences. The party and its government continued to enjoy more media coverage while the space for alternative voices has continued to depreciate. In the continued pursuit and fight to sustain press freedom, Media institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia intervened to save 29 radio stations from facing the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) wrath. MISA Zambia Chapter said it engaged IBA in finding a solution to the issue surrounding the 29 radio stations that were at risk of losing their operating licenses due to non-payment of operational fees to the authority.14 Research on this issue suggests that some of these radio stations did already pay their operational fees and some media expert suggest that these could be the radio stations offering different views to those in support of the party and its government. 4.0. Broadcast Media The broadcast sector received some great development as government kick started the project of constructing of provincial television stations in the country at a cost of $273 millions. The Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Kampamba Mulenga said government had already commenced the construction works in Solwezi, North western province, Choma district in southern province and the latest being Kabwe district in Central province. The minister during the ground breaking ceremony in Kabwe said the provincial TV stations will focus of televising the local content of that particular province. She said that the television stations will be constructed by Star Times Group adding that government wanted people to access information regardless of their social status so that they can participate in national governance and development.15 14 Daily Nation, 24th June 2017 15 Times of Zambia, 11th April, 2017 20 | P a g e