Kalistani Major History

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KRTVN to be reorganized as Not-For-Profit Media Cooperative
Subscriber based, Government subsidized but independently controlled
Kaliburg, Ananto
February 1, 4767


Broadcast room from station 98.2 KARS, soon to be converted to KRTVN Channel 1

The Republican Government announced sweeping changes which will end commercial broadcast and telecast in Kalistan once more.  The KRTVN Reorganization Act was recently moved to a vote in the National Assembly, and once passed, it will fully re-socialize the airwaves in Kalistan.

"We feel its necessary to return the Public's property back to them," said Premier Bennots of the move.  "For far too long, the Government has recognized the license monopoly held by major corporate interests who were acting for the benefit of their shareholders, and not for the benefit of the Republic.  So now, we have demonstrated that private monopoly of the airwaves is no longer tennable in Kalistan."

Government watchers were left scratching their heads while searching for a catalyst for this move.  The Premier put these questions to rest.  "There is nothing these stations did, specifically.  We are just setting right what the Liberals put wrong.  Perhaps if for-profit media wasn't so devoid of content, the people in Kalistan would actually have some reason to listen to their radios and watch their televisions.  As it is right now, its lowest common denominator stuff..."

The move by the Government includes reorganizing the eleven major television broadcasters in the Republic, as well as socializing control of most radio stations in Kaliburg and across the Mainland.  Explicitly excluded from this act are internet and partisan media, as well, presumably print journalism.  The act enforces a not-for-profit model on the Radio-Television network, while at the same time, forbidding Government influence or input into content.  Instead, it charges those who subscribe to the Network to elect an Ombudsman, whose responsibility it is to ensure that the stations in the Cooperative produce and broadcast quality content, as well as observing the letter of the law.

The Cooperative is forbidden from running commercial advertisement, but may sell underwriting spots which do not include calls to action to business and industry, as well as conduct pledge drives among members of the Cooperative.  The Republican Government has pledged in this act to cover all budgetary shortfalls from the Ministry of Culture's budget.  "That ministry will be adequately funded," said the Premier.

The last time the Republic has a socialized cooperative running its media, support among the population for the network was very high, often times reaching comfortably into the mid 90s.  But since media was privatized, and the KRTVN was reduced to a simple educational channel, support for the broadcast media has plummetted.  People turned to internet streaming for content.  The Premier is optimistic that the relaunch will increase support for the Network once more.  "Finally, people will not only have excellent programming to watch and listen to, but they will also have a direct and tangible say in what that content is, through the Ombudsman program.  We look forward to great things again from this Network."

The reorganization has already received a unanimous vote from the Socialist Party, and will pass into law.  Meanwhile, the conversion will continue into the summer and will likely be completed by early fall of this year.