STATE OF THE MEDIA IN ZAMBA c) Protection of journalists - Government and all other stakeholders are urged to ensure that the rights of journalists are not only recognised but vehemently protected to guarantee them a safe operating environment. The safety of the journalist will ensure that they gather quality information that is disseminated in a timely manner. Journalists for their part should strive to be professional and responsible in their work to reduce the risks involved in the job. d) Liberating of state media - There has been marked eroding of past gains towards freeing of public media from government interference. Government should do more and move in the direction of making these institutions truly public as opposed to state owned, run and controlled. This will tremendously improve their capacity, credibility and ultimately impact positively on the media fraternity in general in the country e) Repeal of all undemocratic archaic pieces of legislation hostile to media - The call to repeal certain pieces of outdated legislation is still something we continue to urge lawmakers to seriously look into. Stakeholders should take the opportunity presented by the constitution review process to ensure that this is achieved. f) Advocacy activities - All concerned stakeholders are urged to continue with advocacy activities on all situations, processes and areas that negatively affect the work of journalists. This is in order to achieve the highest levels of freedom and protection of journalists’ rights. g) Media standards and professionalism. Media advocacy institutions need to strike a balance between promoting media freedom and freedom of expression on one hand and insistence on professional journalism and responsible behaviour on both sources and media workers on the other. h) The struggle for media law reforms must continue. i) Need for a comprehensive media and communication policy - Zambia still lacks a comprehensive media and communication policy to be the blueprint for the media industry’s diverse activities, growth and general provisions except for a 1996 draft policy which was revised in 2002 and 2012. This particular document must receive the necessary attention and scrutiny that has thus far been lacking 29 | P a g e