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Bill: National Media Reform
Details
Submitted by[?]: Plato's Republican Party
Status[?]: passed
Votes: This is an ordinary bill. It requires more yes votes than no votes. This bill will not pass any sooner than the deadline.
Voting deadline: July 2453
Description[?]:
| The current state of media in Sekowo is, in a word, unbelievable. This is a nation in which children may purchase cigarettes and alcohol. Pornography is cheap and plentiful, Post-Secondary Education is free, and Health Care is freely available to all. Why, then, does the State control all Radio and Television stations? It is not the Government's job to entertain. It is the Government's job to educate and inform. The citizens are more than capable of entertaining themselves. This bill therefore proposes that Radio and TV stations be released back into the hands of the people. Private stations will of course still have regulations, and the Government will subsidize a nationally-owned TV and Radio station for informational and educational purposes. In addition, to eliminate the temptation this bill proposes that the use of the Flag as a marketing tool be made illegal. |
Proposals
Article 1
Proposal[?] to change National policy regarding the desecration of the national flag.
Old value:: There are no regulations regarding the desecration or use of the national flag.
Current: There are no regulations regarding the desecration or use of the national flag.
Proposed: The national flag may not be used for commercial purposes.
Article 2
Proposal[?] to change Radio stations.
Old value:: All radio stations are owned by the state.
Current: The government subsidises a national radio station for educational and informational purposes; other private non-subsidised radio stations are allowed.
Proposed: The government subsidises a national radio station for educational and informational purposes; other private non-subsidised radio stations are allowed.
Article 3
Proposal[?] to change Television stations.
Old value:: All television stations are owned by the state.
Current: The government subsidises a national TV station for educational and informational purposes; other private non-subsidised TV stations are allowed.
Proposed: The government subsidises a national TV station for educational and informational purposes; other private non-subsidised TV stations are allowed.
Debate
These messages have been posted to debate on this bill:
| Date | 04:44:57, September 09, 2007 CET | From | Sekowan Communist Party | To | Debating the National Media Reform |
| Message | We support this bill. |
| Date | 06:28:54, September 09, 2007 CET | From | 帝国公明党 (Teikoku Kōmeitō) | To | Debating the National Media Reform |
| Message | The DSP supports articles 1 and 2, but we do not see why the flag should be forbidden from commercial use. |
| Date | 06:47:48, September 09, 2007 CET | From | Plato's Republican Party | To | Debating the National Media Reform |
| Message | Allowing the flag for commercial uses opens up the potential for abuse by unscrupulous merchants. The flag may be used to inspire a false sense of patriotic duty towards a product or service that is in no way endorsed by the Government itself. The fact is that the flag represents the Government, the Nation, and the People of Sekowo, and allowing it to be used for purposes like selling cars or fast food will quickly result in it representing greed and consumerism, which is clearly an unwanted outcome. We do not want the youth of this country to be more inspired by a clever marketing ploy than by their own national anthem. |
| Date | 08:37:31, September 09, 2007 CET | From | Pan-Sekowan Fascist Front | To | Debating the National Media Reform |
| Message | PSFF is against this bill. State must control the media so our citizens don't get dangerous ideals to their head. It is all for the best of our country. |
| Date | 08:39:53, September 09, 2007 CET | From | Pan-Sekowan Fascist Front | To | Debating the National Media Reform |
| Message | OOC: What kind of communists do we have here? Not wanting state-controlled media? I am shocked, shocked I tell you! ;) Even our communists want privatization of businesses... *shakes head* |
| Date | 10:11:39, September 09, 2007 CET | From | Plato's Republican Party | To | Debating the National Media Reform |
| Message | Feeling that the bill is strong as it stands, and that any potential contention with Article 3 is greatly mitigated by the simple virtue of Articles 1 and 2, the PRP are putting this bill up to a vote. We trust that, despite our differences, we can all agree that it is not the role of Government to entertain with regards to media, but rather to inform and educate. |
| Date | 18:40:05, September 09, 2007 CET | From | Sekowan Communist Party | To | Debating the National Media Reform |
| Message | It's hardly privatization, seeing that all companies are headed by democratic workers' councils. The means of production are in the hands of the people, our ultimate goal, and the role of the state can wither now. |
| Date | 20:06:59, September 09, 2007 CET | From | 帝国公明党 (Teikoku Kōmeitō) | To | Debating the National Media Reform |
| Message | Even though we still have problems with article 3, since we see it as hindering expression, we will vote in favour of this bill. |
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Voting
| Vote | Seats | |||||
| yes |
Total Seats: 387 | |||||
| no | Total Seats: 92 | |||||
| abstain | Total Seats: 120 |
| Random fact: Zardugal is a nation based on the old Byzantine Empire, with a modern twist and the Esperanto language. Zardugal is located on the continent of Majatra. |
| Random quote: "If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator." - George W. Bush |