Deltaria

[Rogue]

Cahtica - While the freedom of the press had already gradually been increased since the end of royal dictatorship, the KDU proposed "Freedom of Reporting, Expression, and Editorial Democracy in Open Media Act" or FREEDOM passed congress last night, with the senate approving the legislation with 90 votes in favor. Last week, the Chamber of Deputies had already approved the law with only two members of the KDU voting against. The bill allows any individual to start their own news outlet, allows the media to freely publish with cencorship by the government prohibited, and reorganizes all state owned media into a new, single media outlet no longer controlled by the government but instead by a independent commission. The public corporation will be responsible for providing informative programs to the population, with no advertising allowed. 

The FREEDOM act was controversial when first proposed, with many hardliners still sympathetic to the royal dictatorship fearing a "rampage of anti monarchist sentiments" in the media. Prime Minister Horvat, together with the Minister of Education and Culture Franjo Dakić (responsible for media) spearheaded the efforts for the bill, citing that Deltaria should move away from old instincts and embrace a more democratic society. What also played part is likely the fear of Horvat that, in case Crown Prince Vjekoslav becomes of age next year, he will listen to hawkish members of political society and attempt to use his powers as monarch to clamp down on recently aquired freedoms. With a free press, such attempts could be seriously hampered. 

With the approval of the senate only the acting regent needs to sign the bill, with current regent Silvije Višković having pledged to do so in the coming week. Horvat celebrated the passage, thanking his party members for their trust and the Deltarian people "for their patience, freedom, no matter in what form, shall always prevail."