NationStates Jolt Archive

August 18th will see the launch of the widely anticipated alternative to the state broadcaster in Wanhockaloogi. WAN-NET launches on to the analogue platform with two channels to complement the current WanWire service, which has been in place for a year now.

There has been much controversy over this new medium for Wanhockaloogians in the state media (however, the state media has to abide rules to avoid bias in the media, to make sure Wanhockaloogians are fully informed on developments accurately.) The government has now decided to launch this new service via an independent company to give civilians more variety.

Here is the problem - WAN-NET (the new service) have declared their intent to expose parts of Wanhockaloogi previously unknown to our small population, as they believe the state media are too 'ideallist.' The few criminals which operate in our generally pleasant country are allegedly concerned that their activities will be revealed in the programming confirmed on the current affairs channel WAN-NET 1, in a programming block called "The Real Wanhockaloogi."

An organisation of which their main business is unknown have relayed to the Government an ultimatum. Earlier, the "Salvinrites" sent pictures of two dead journalists - both from the new WAN-NET service (and due to feature their reports in the illegal activities documentary) with a video message stating that if the new service was not withdrawn with immediate effect (to stop the launch of the channel on the 18th) more Journalists from the WAN-NET service would be killed, with attacks on innocent civilians, WAN-NET buildings, staff and signal masts, also affecting WanWire services, in effect starting a Television blackout.

The reason we believe this to be an international matter is because of the threat for foreign journalists within our territory to be killed, and journalists in other countries to be killed also, to prevent exposure of "associate's activities in other lands."

We have tried negotiation to no avail, we said we as a Government would promise to ensure WAN-NET would not broadcast their now completed works on their new channels - however, the Salvinrites said that they demand a complete shutdown of the company, to prevent WAN-NET organising a leak to any of their media outlets. (As the law here indicates state media cannot broadcast any unoriginal material.)

We are but a small country, your help is urgently required.

The Party of the Karuchean Revolution with its great Revolutionary experiance of the last 2 decades declares firm support to the People's Republic of Wanhockaloogi and her governments choices.

We offer the 5th Brigade of the Karuchean People's Army Special Forces to support and train units of Wanhockaloogi forces in counter-terrorism.

This being said, the PKR finds it odd that the People's Republic of Wanhockaloogi would allow private companies to run television stations. Television as a medium of entertainment and also news, has the ability to reach millions and billions of people. While we fully agree with the concept of Freedom of Speech, as enshrined in our constitution, so long as it is not used as a Bourgeois concept, mediums of entertainment are quite different. Every man and woman can say what they will to each other, to their neighbours and to their family, however, this ceases to be freedom of speech when it has the potential to affect entire situations and become one of the sole means of news and reporting. This is why the PKR and the Socialist National Republic of Karuchea does not allow private companies to run television or news services.

However, in the spirit of brotherhood, co-operation and mutual independance, we respect your decisions and offer our full aid however you may need it. In addition, we wish to invite a delegation from your country to our capital, Ahmadia to discuss matters between our two nations and establish ties between our peoples.

Sincerely in Brotherhood,
Premier Omar Bakdash and Chairman Amani Sinde.

The Armed Republic of Cascade States is quite possibly able to help you in this
effort.

Yes I believe our nation could provide you with some of our civilian satelite communications systems, and even vehicles with equipment to upload from where ever you like.
And of course can provide you with arms to defend your assets and Advisors to assist your police and Army in the use of said armaments.

Wanhockaloogi expresses appreciation for offers of help from the two prospective allies of Karuchea and the Cascade States, however brings into question Karuchea's ability to help resolve the issue regarding the private WAN-NET service, due to the evident lack of experience in this certain field of media, and asks this fine land's Premier and Chairman what significant event happened to your country to make you decide to deny your citizens the right to a different voice.

Wanhockaloogi openly declares interest in the Cascade States proposal, and invites authority from the nation to express their perspective in more detail.

Yes I believe our nation could provide you with some of our civilian satelite communications systems, and even vehicles with equipment to upload from where ever you like.
And of course can provide you with arms to defend your assets and Advisors to assist your police and Army in the use of said armaments.

Wanhockaloogi receives this offer with thanks, however begins to ask in desparation to these two nations what the country should do against such a diligent threat of blackmail, to protect both Wanhockaloogi's and our allie's civilians.

The Government invites Karuchea to dispense advice on this impeding issue, and gladly accepts a meeting to Ahmadia to discuss the issue. Wanhockaloogi asks the Karuchean government however to initiate the meeting quickly, as to prevent surpassing the deadline set by the Salvinrites.

With all due respect, we only speak our opinions as found by our own Revolution and Construction of Socialism, built in our own way and our own style. We try not to condescend or to force anything, but allow nations to go their own way, as such we consider the comments "asks this fine land's Premier and Chairman what significant event happened to your country to make you decide to deny your citizens the right to a different voice." quite rude and uncalled for, considering our nation has offered to help yours in any way possible. We will forgive this, considering it a matter of different cultural norms involving language.

Your question is simply answered as such: the people can speak their mind however they wish, they can hear each others voice all the time and collectively, their voice is always spoken through the Media. The views of a private citizen or party do not belong as a source of "news", as such, news is provided cleanly and free of bias except in the favour of the people. Television stations are run by the People's News Branch and People's Entertainment Organizational Society, both subsctions of our People's Government. As such, they represent news which comes from and then returns to the people and entertainment in the same way.

Our government, while it may not have exact expertise in regards to private media, does have expertise in counter-terrorism as well as much experiance in crushing anti-government groups and groups which wish to cause chaos to the people's lives.

We immediately wish to invite a delegation to Ahmadia, the sooner you can arrive the better. We not only wish to discuss this issue at hand, but also discuss the future relations and co-operations between our two countries. You can arrive and land at the Karuchean National Landing Zone and from there, you will be taken to the Palace of the Revolution, where you will meet with a delegation from our people and party to discuss matters.

Sincerely in Brotherhood,
Premier Omar Bakdash and Chairman Amani Sinde.

Associates from the Wanhockaloogi Government have left.

The urgency of the matter is critical. This from the state broadcaster WanWire:

WANWIRE NEWS FEED: WANHOCKALOOGI SOUTHERN EDITION
02:18am

WAN-NET OFFICES BOMBED IN OVERNIGHT ATTACK
By CARLOS MENDONCA

THE BUILDING of WAN-NET Corp., due to launch a service to run in co-operation with the WanWire service, has been devastated by an explosion, believed to be organised and co-ordinated by the Salvanites, who expressed anger Thursday over the launch of an alternative to state media.

The death toll is uncertain, however WanWire understands that the dead could move into hundreds. The new buildings in the Wanhock town of Brannagh, fifty miles from the capital, was purpose built to under go the services WAN-NET intended to begin on Monday the 18th of August. Estimates by emergency crews in the area put the amount of staff of WAN-NET in the building at the time of the blast at 520, working for the launch of the new channel.

The Prime Minister is unavailable for comment, however believed to make a statement at 3am local time.

WAN-NET released a statement two minutes ago stating "we anticipated an attack like this and our staff knew that their work was dangerous.

"We are now going to move into our secret offices to continue with the job the government has entrusted us to do."

Meanwhile, Government officials are holding emergency talks due to begin momentarily to discuss whether WAN-NET should be abandoned, or at least delayed. It is thought WAN-NET could experience a 3-day delay due to difficulties launching, due to essential files and staff being lost in the explosion, which was on a scale unseen in Wanhockaloogic history.

It is believed that the attack was arranged to happen at this time in the morning, as Salvanites were rumoured to be receiving inside information from a person at WAN-NET, detailing when the impact would be greatest.

More overnight as the story develops.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM KARUCHEA:
The People's Government in Karuchea expresses condolences for the great nation of Wanhockaloogi as well as with the families of the victims of these bombings and condemns the bombing action and all associated with carrying it out.

Meanwhile, Premier Omar Bakdash sat at his desk when Head of Security Services Lisa Tae-sun walked in. "What is it?" asked Bakdash. "I believe that the representatives of Wanhockaloogi should wish to meet with you soon." she responded. "I would assume. Have Sinde offer them this treaty of co-operation and friendship." he said, giving her the papers. "And if they say no?" she asked. "Well, then it was Sinde's over-arching, imperialist tendencies which made him do it, and he will be removed from his position." he responded, laughing. "And if they sign it, then Sinde wasn't firm enough in the defense of Wanhockaloogi?" she asked. "Of course" responded Bakdash. "Chairman Sinde will be removed regardless, he must be purged, the entire Right Wing of this Party must be purged. He will be removed and made Vice-Chairman as a token gesture. You will be made Chairman of the National Assembly in his place." Lisa thought for a second and responded: "But what of the current Vice-Chairman, Nurianna Barre?" "She will be removed of her post and demoted to only a Central Committee spot and probably head the People's Daily Worker in Ahmadia." Bakdash replied. They saluted and Lisa left to deliver the papers to Chairman Amani Sinde.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE PRIME MINISTER OF WANHOCKALOOGI
3:00am

"We are now instigating a 10-hour media blackout in light of these events. At 1pm local time, we will release a fully-detailed statement regarding our crisis talks, and whether talks with Karuchea will go ahead - please respect the privacy of the victims, and the family and friends of the afore, and avoid speculation. Thank you."

We can have someone there in 12 hours if you like, and will bring with him
several experts in our own national communications systems to assist with the
technical questions.

Or if you would like you could visit our country,

Cascade States

WANWIRE NEWS: DAILY DEVELOPMENTS with KATE SCHINDLE
2:15pm

A press conference was held this morning in Brannagh, where a bomb went off in the early hours of this morning at the headquarters of WAN-NET. The blast, believed to be co-ordinated by terrorists, have killed 456. The Salvinrites have claimed full responsibility for the attack. Among the dead is the Chairman of WAN-NET, Jinny Taylor - and the main news anchor Harry Havell.

We can now bring you the Press Conference held this morning, here on WanWire - this report contains flashing lights, which may be unsuitable for persons with photosensitive epilepsy.

PRIME MINISTER:
Early this morning, hundreds were killed in a co-ordinated attack by an evil group of people. This sort of attitude and behaviour is unheard of. We have urged the Salvrinrites to see how this could help their country, benefit their country, and how potentially it could better themselves. But, of course, they do not see this that way.

I have been in full co-operation with the Acting Chairman of WAN-NET, Yvonne Spacey. She told me it was a difficult night at the secret offices of the network, as finding a successor was difficult due to the masses dead. It was also said that who would have been Jinny's natural successor in the case of a job move or career change also died in this horrific attack, along the successor in his role as Deputy Chairman.

Yvonne told me that in a short space of two hours, she had gone from the Controller of WAN-NET 1, to the Chairman and President of WAN-NET Services. She tells me her and her associates are simply not ready to continue with their broadcasting duties at the present time.

It is with great upset that I announce the launch of WAN-NET has hearby been suspended until September 9th. A few days prior to this date, we will meet with our intimate associates of the great lands and territories of Karuchea and the Cascade States, to discuss action against the evil people who are preventing progress here in Wanhockaloogi.

I am currently in no position at this time to answer any questions.

Thank you.

I'm Kate Schindle, you're watching Daily Developments. Well, it has been a busy morning here at the News Centre, but we can confirm we have exclusive footage of an interview with the Salvinrites from one of our own journalists in Brannagh. They agreed to an interview if Ski Masks could be worn in the tape. They had this to say to Nicholas Ivanni:

"This isn't over. We will be back when WAN-NET is back. Your Government has made a big mistake."

--

The Prime Minister, Jonathon Wheatley, strolled out of the Press Conference. One of his aides fixed his tie. His PA came over and he laughed in a melancholy manner, a deep contrast to his contrived and contorted emotions on the world stage. "Thank God that is over," he said. "Julie - tell me the media still do not know about my resigning as Prime Minister?"

"Not at the moment. The only people who know are me, you, and the Cabinet of course. I left memos for them on their desks."

"B-B-UT! A LEAK!"

"No leak. Do remember everybody is on summer vacation. Nobody can read anything. You will resign on August 30th, you can tell them you gave them enough prior warning, and walk free from politics forever."

"Fantastic. Then this mess will be somebody else's problem, instead of mine."

He removed his microphone, and heard a massive squeak come from the speakers above him. The gasps came from the Atrium. His entire conversation had just been broadcast to every station in the World. His career might have been ending on August 31st, but some explaining, paperwork and apologies were remaining for his two last weeks in office.