NationStates Jolt Archive

1700 hours, Vallingard, Faxanavia

Today, in a press release from Faxanavia's Defense Ministry, images and video were officially released from Faxanavia's very first nuclear tests.

These tests included that of a nuclear fusion war head, a fission powered artillery shell, and a variety of plane dropped fusion and fission explosives. Each of these tests took place in the north-western most state of Judehlind, in the area designated as "Boars Field", an explosives testing ground since the annexation of Judehlind 5 years ago.

The Faxanavian Minister of Defense, Frieda Krauhler, is expected to speak today in an open press conference. Newspaper reporters from other nations are openly invited to the conference.



1200 hours Vallingard, Faxanavia

Frieda Krauhler tapped the microphone in front of her. Through the tinny whistling of feedback, she coughed. Speaking into the microphone, she said, "Is this thing on?" Her voice echoed around the auditorium. "Aah. Good. Now, I believe my aid has briefed you all on the news. I now open the floor to any and all questions."

The Grand Imperium of Risban issued no statement about Faxanavia's nuclear ambitions being realized, and seemed to not particularly care about one more nuclear power in the world. Indeed, a report had been issued by some underling in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to the Ministry of Defence, only to get shuffled away with many similar reports. The Risbani government was just uninterested in such developments.

The media, however, just loved this sort of stuff. The Risban Imperial News Network (RINN) sent some small-time reporter to cover the story for some filler space in the nightly news later that week. And so here she was, Marissa Castor, with her cameraman, waiting for the Faxanavian Defence Minister to get up to the damn podium already. As soon as the woman appeared, the RINN reporter jumped to question.

"I'm Marissa Castor with the Risban Imperial News Network. Why has Faxanavia developed a nuclear program when it is already a dangerous enough planet and more nuclear weapons will not improve things at all? If it is for your protection, how is it supposed to protect you from a nuclear-armed nation that could be much larger, richer, and stronger than Faxanavia?"

Chief Governor Dunan Ruu read the small insignificant report about the Faxanavia Nuclear Testing. He puffed on one of Anagonia's many tastey brands of cigars, making sure to place the ash in the proper place. He placed the report down and yawned. Dunan loved to read the oddity reports here and there, especially the juicy intelligence from smaller nations. But this was something common these days. Nothing new.

The International Anagonian News Network (IANN) played with the story, but with so much news flooding in from the world already it chimed a similar story already being presented everywhere. He turned on the ANN (Anagonian News Network) channel and turned it to IANN. There he caught the Faxanavia story.

"...having already detonated one Nuclear Warhead. Not much else to say, Bob."

Bob came on the screen. "Thank you Judy. As you all know Anagonia prides itself in its well-maintained Nuclear Arsenal. The news from Faxanavia is just another mention of a Nation coming into the responsibility of nation-hood. Hopefully, Faxanavia will present a responsible picture to those smaller unheard-of nations to follo-"

Dunan turned it off. Responsibility. They played it nicely.

The Grand Imperium of Risban issued no statement about Faxanavia's nuclear ambitions being realized, and seemed to not particularly care about one more nuclear power in the world. Indeed, a report had been issued by some underling in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to the Ministry of Defence, only to get shuffled away with many similar reports. The Risbani government was just uninterested in such developments.

The media, however, just loved this sort of stuff. The Risban Imperial News Network (RINN) sent some small-time reporter to cover the story for some filler space in the nightly news later that week. And so here she was, Marissa Castor, with her cameraman, waiting for the Faxanavian Defence Minister to get up to the damn podium already. As soon as the woman appeared, the RINN reporter jumped to question.

"I'm Marissa Castor with the Risban Imperial News Network. Why has Faxanavia developed a nuclear program when it is already a dangerous enough planet and more nuclear weapons will not improve things at all? If it is for your protection, how is it supposed to protect you from a nuclear-armed nation that could be much larger, richer, and stronger than Faxanavia?"

Defense Minister Krauhler cast her gaze over to the reporter. "Ms. Castor, the world is a more violent, more blood filled place. I do not deny that fact. Faxanavia has come under threat before from nuclear and non-nuclear assault, by neighboring nations, no less. We feel that at such times, the capability to defend ourselves with the most power possible is important. Certainly, there are bigger, more dangerous, and stronger nations out there. But, will we have a better chance fighting them without nuclear weapons then with? Nuclear power is the way into the military future, and Faxanavia chooses not to be left in the past."

The media, however, just loved this sort of stuff. The Risban Imperial News Network (RINN) sent some small-time reporter to cover the story for some filler space in the nightly news later that week. And so here she was, Marissa Castor, with her cameraman, waiting for the Faxanavian Defence Minister to get up to the damn podium already. As soon as the woman appeared, the RINN reporter jumped to question.

"I'm Marissa Castor with the Risban Imperial News Network. Why has Faxanavia developed a nuclear program when it is already a dangerous enough planet and more nuclear weapons will not improve things at all? If it is for your protection, how is it supposed to protect you from a nuclear-armed nation that could be much larger, richer, and stronger than Faxanavia?"

Society for Greater News Literacy, presenting on ETV-109

This is not Journalism, this is not News. This is Opinion, belonging on an editorial program, it asks for a response to an obviously loaded question. Journalism is Accountable, Verifiable, and Independent. Now, while the announcement of Nuclear Capabilities is always News, how it is presented is very important.

Next on our education programming is an example of how to do news commentary while maintaining a respectful and dispassionate stance.

"...having already detonated one Nuclear Warhead. Not much else to say, Bob."

Bob came on the screen. "Thank you Judy. As you all know Anagonia prides itself in its well-maintained Nuclear Arsenal. The news from Faxanavia is just another mention of a Nation coming into the responsibility of nation-hood. Hopefully, Faxanavia will present a responsible picture to those smaller unheard-of nations to follo-"

While the stance does present a respectful and relatively benign view of Faxanavia, it still seems condescending. Our time is running out so lets review what we learned in the next few min-

[TRANSMISSION ENDED]