Mass media in Gfiewistan

From CWS Planet
(Redirected from Media in Gfiewistan)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Mass media in Gfiewistan is largely free, with freedom of the press enshrined in the constitution. However, until reforms in 1975 this was understood to only refer to literal presses, i.e. print media. As a result, newspapers have a long tradition, whereas radio and TV stations, nowadays widespread, too, are a more recent phenomenon. In the 21st century web portals have been growing in importance, too.


History

Media in pre-unification Gfiewistan and the Kingdom of Gfiewistan

Prior to unification in the 16th century, writing was sparse, despite having been introduced already by seafarers and missionaries in the 1300s, and often tightly controlled by the ruling elites of every chiefdom.

After all of them were unified in 1572 by the chief of Slakkariew under the banner of Iovism brought in by missionaries, priests in newly created or reconscecrated temples all over the country were granted the sole authority to educate people publicly, which also entailed a monopoly on printing books and newsletters.

This was not challenged until after the second university was founded in 1762 in the city of Hatariew in the far north on the River Ersaj, far away from the royal capital of Slakkariew located in the southwest at the bay with the same name. The distance made enforcing the monopoly more difficult, and a culture of independent research could begin. Soon, critical students and researchers at the university were openly challenging royal policy, first the inefficient quasi-feudal system of land use, later on expanding to other topics until the political system was attacked directly.

While the royal court tried to ban and suppress the burgeoning diversity of independent presses in Hatariew, the local nobility eventually sided with the university and put it under their protection. Some time later, regulations on education and media were loosened for the first time, although temples still enjoyed preferential treatment, support by royal funds and both censorship and outside of Hatariew self-censorship. Most outlets continued to glorify the political and religious establishment, and printed very conservative educational material and the occasional newsletter, officially sanctioned. However, books from abroad started being imported in large amounts and were widely read, especially books on scientific topics.

Development in the Republic of Gfiewistan

Anti-clerical sentiment and criticism of the royal court remained banned in print, but with growing political and social problems became more numerous in secretly printed magazines nonetheless. This culminated in the revolution of 1852 that established a republic and finally overturned the ban, however, the temples remained powerful, and in complete control of education until 1975, when the first secular and publicly funded schools were opened to much criticism from conservative political groups. The media was also further liberalized at that point, radio broadcasting that had been another exclusive domain of priests and monks was now also opened to private companies and individuals, and TV was introduced as well. Prior to that, films and video reports were only shown in cinemas.

Print media

More than a hundred newspapers of all kinds are being published in Gfiewistan, although most of them are local dailies or specialist weekly or twice-weekly ones. Most are Gfiewish language ones, although in regions with significant minority language speakers newspapers in Siortan and Tlulmerdi exist, too, and some newspapers from Mermelia and Lufasa can often be bought in border regions, too. Additionally, there is a Neviran language newspaper available in the cities of Hatariew and Slakkariew.

Local newspapers, in the 1970s still the most influential media, have lost ground due to the increasing competition, but many remain profitable due to a reorientation to either long-form or investigative reporting, specialization, or emphasis of local identity and support of local events. Most national newspapers have however disappeared, with some local newspapers such as the Hatariew Herald taking their position and being read in much of the country rather than just the capital. Similarly, specialized magazines still exist (although mergers are common), whereas general-interest magazines have become rare, with websites having replaced them.

Radio stations

Today, a sizable number of radio stations exists, with a number of private national broadcasters and at least two regional ones in every state, covering many genres such as news radio, talk radio, pop music, opera and theater music, traditional and modern music. “Temple radio” still exists, but has lost its special status and relies on donations from the public and support by the religious establishment rather than receiving public funds.

TV stations

TV stations are receivable in all parts of the country and provide the main source of information for most people, although the internet has started to rival it.

Web media

This section is empty.