Salaris Herald
"What are you doing?" The young reporter protested as his editor crossed out entire lines of his article. It was a simple piece of reporting on a small, inconsequential protest, something even he couldn't mess up. Or so he thought. He leaned over the editor's desk as she crossed out yet another sentence.
"That's what happened! Am I supposed to make something up or leave half the story out?"
"I suggest next time you read the official report first."
The Salaris Herald is the best-selling and most prominent newspaper in Salaris, with issues finding their way across all of Imbria.
It is largely considered the most reliable source for government announcements, political appointments, and explanations of new laws and policies. It is an open secret that that paper serves as the primary way that Salaris's political and military leadership communicate with the masses. In fact, the government largely subsidizes the cost for low-income households.
Public Sentiment
Public sentiment ranges from pride to distrust, though few are willing to openly criticize the paper, as doing so might be misconstrued as a criticism of the government.Anonymous Civilian Quotes:
I love the Herald. Read it every day. I trust it to tell me everything I need to know.
It's got the most useful info out of all the newspapers...if you can read between the lines.
You can't trust a single thing in that rag.
Absolute garbage. The only thing you can trust is that the Salaris Herald will only ever print half the story. And if that gossip columnist Jill is allowed to feature, it's nothing more than a distraction from what's really going on.
History
Rumors of the newspaper's founding and seemingly overnight success abound. Some claim the founder bribed and extorted Salarin officials, politicians, and military leadership for access, information, and exclusive rights. Others claim the founder's primary goal had always been to become the voice of the nation, delivering State-approved messaging to the masses.
Reliable sources surrounding the owner and the paper's early days are scarce, and most surviving references have been discredited and untrustworthy sources.
It wasn't news. It was nothing more than propaganda. The officers, "journalists," and politicians would meet together in the backrooms, drinking, smoking, and collaborating on their stories while enjoying exotic dancers and some of my... more erotic illusions.
The paper's owner always liked to say, “The truth is what I say it is."
- Journal entry of a known Illusion Guide
Modern Critics
Nevertheless, modern-day critics point to these types of stories as an attempt to smear and discredit the paper and sow seeds of distrust and discord among the populace.It may have started out that way, but I assure you, we always report the most correct, up-to-date accountings of recent events. Our journalists and editors work tirelessly to deliver the best news to Salaris.
Imbria's Best Source of News
Work in progress.
Founding Date
890 DE
Type
Broadcasting, Newspaper / Magazine
Sounds very suspicious to me. I can see why people don't trust it.
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