NationStates Jolt Archive

In light of continued government control over the media, recent activities in the Xanthalian government have been directed towards addressing the issues of censorship. In response to the growing demand for leglislation to prevent censorship, three years ago the idea for the Free Information Act was introduced to the Ministry of Communications and Media, which ignored the bill. Though the FIA is not yet finished, the Minister of Social Affairs is spearheading a movement in the Xanthalian Council to complete the bill and formally introduce it jointly to the Council and the Triumvirate. "In a universe where anything can happen at any time, it is vital that the common citizen is kept informed," said the Minister at a recent press conference. "The Xanthalian people must have all the facts to make good decisions and influence their government. We cannot risk a continued monopoly of information distribution in Xanthal. The Free of Information Act must ensure that everything possible is made public."
The Xanthalian Ministry of Intelligence, widely acknowledged as among the top intelligence agencies in the galaxy, has shown resistance to the bill. Its minister spoke earlier today to the Xanthalian press. "The government is perfectly capable of deciding what the public should know. If my Ministry is forced to hand over intelligence we could place thousands of current and former agents at risk, not to mention that our armed forces would lose the edge they have enjoyed in the past thanks to our information."
While the Xanthalian public generally supports the act, there is suspicion as to how effective it would be even if passed. "Seems pointless if you ask me," said one woman after being asked her opinion. "The Xanthalian government controls every aspect of our society. If it wants to keep something secret, you can rest assured that it will be classified."
This is XNN.

The Free Information Act was defeated in the Council by a 6/6 vote today, ending its one year struggle through red tape put up by the Ministry of Intelligence. "The bill was too ambitious," said the Minister of Communications and Media. "We're looking into introducing a less powerful piece of leglislation now that would create non-government journalist positions." For now though, the fight seems to have left the bill's supporters and things are settling back to normal in the Council.