News from Groenmark

[Groenmark]

The most popular types of mass media in Groenmark are television, radio, newspapers and magazines. It is estimated that over 70% of Groensk watch television for over thirty minutes every day, while about 50% of adults subscribed a newspaper in the last year; so, television and newspapers (both physical and digital) still remain the most common source of information for the Kingdom population. However, in recent times websites and over-the-top streaming services are booming and appeal a growing number of users.
The most subscribed newspapers are De Telegraaf, De Koerier, De Gantelhavn Dagblad and Het Financieele Dagblad, wich have a national diffusion. Also local newspapers have a significant presence among the public, decreasing in recent years due to the spread of social networks.
Regarding television, the major broadcasters are the Groenmark Omroep (Groenmark Broadcasting company), the Himmel Omroep (Sky Broadcasting company) and the Onafhængigt Omroepsysteem (Indipendent Broadcasting system). All these companies offer a wide range of channels, both generalists and specialists. Groenmark has no public-owned mass media company, exept for the Istitutionelt Publiek Netverk. It is a public nonprofit organization, wich manages three tv channels, whose task is to televise proceedings of the Groenmark's Government.
The ownership of mass media companies had always been fragmentated during the nineteenth century. In the early 2000s, few companies started to form mass media conglomerates through the acquisition of more newspapers, television and radio channels. In order to avoid the concentration of excessive power in the hands of a few companies, the government implemented new antitrust laws, whose aim is the 'protection of the right to indipendent and broad information', through the presence of 'a large number of competitors without proprietary ties that could compromise the effective representation of all ideas and orientations'.​

 

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Staatsminister Boer condems tarusan invasion of the Hanseatic Republics

Staatsminister Simon Boer, during this morining's session of the Folkekammer, has officially condemned the invasion of the Hanseatic Republics by the Tarusan Empire. The cabinet's stance comes after few days of unrest in the stock market and among the population, despite Groenmark has not been involved in the conflict. Nevertheless, the geographical proximity of the conflict, along with possible economic repercussions, have caused turmoil in the political and economic world, while discussions among political leaders on how to react have accompanied stock losses on fears of a slowdown in international trade.
Simon Boer told the assembly: «Groenmark's government and Groenmark's people resolutely condemn the invasion of the Hanseatic Republics by Tsar Ivan and tarusan armed forces. This act of violence against a sovereign state cannot be ignored, and will lead to the harsh reaction of all countries that base their foreign policy on diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, such as our own country». The Staatsminister announced the increasing of the alarm level of the armed forces and a first humanitarian aid package: «Our first aim is to provide help to the people affected by this senseless and imperialist war» he decleared «and to ensure the territorial integrity of our country and the safety of our people». Anyway, Simon Boer has expressly stated that Groenmark will not take an active part in the conflict, but will strive for a fair and peaceful resolution.
The Staatsminister, concluding his speech, said the government is «closely monitoring the evolution of the conflict» and that the cabinet «is considering furhter actions». It has in fact been proposed by various representatives of the Conservative Party and of the Liberal Alliance to introduce economic sanctions against the Empire of Tarusa, restricting or outright banning exports of technologically advanced products on which the attacker relies.
Should the conflict continue and the economic situation of the countries involved or afflicted deteriorate, the Minister of Finance has announced that the government will evaluate the granting of subsidized credit lines if not actual financial support packages. Staatsminister Simon Boer himself told to the representatives that the tarusan invasion «will inevitably change the state of economic and political relations on this continent» and, so, «assisting those who have been unfairly attacked is not only a moral duty, but also necessary for the security of our country from the expansionist and imperialist aims of others».
Despite three days of losses, the Ministry of Economic Affairs refused to close the stock market in Raalthus, unlike neighboring countries. The cabinet believed that if trading were hampered it would be interpreted as a sign of weakness and fear and lead to panic in the real economy and the financial world. The Ministry of Economic Affairs also advised energy companies to diversify their suppliers, fearing that the conflict could reduce deliveries of oil and natural gas from the Gothic Sea.




Two groensk companies relaunch research on naval nuclear propulsion​

In a joint press release Driessen Nucleaire, the energy company specialized in the nuclear sector, and Lauwerse Scheepsbygger, the large company that manages the shipyards of Lejren, announced they have reached an agreement for the research and testing of nuclear-powered civilian cargo ships. The two companies will undertake to study the feasibility of this project and its convenience from a technical and economic point of view.
Using clean nuclear energy to power ships would help rapidly decarbonise an industry grappling with huge consumption of fossil fuels and resulting carbon emissions. «Nuclear energy still retains a vast unexplored potential and its use can be extended to new applications» said the CEO of Driessen Nucleaire «This agreement will allow us to find out if nuclear propulsion, thanks to the most recent technologies, can be used to move goods around the globe, reducing costs and polluting emissions».
The idea is certainly not new, but the high management costs had prevented the use of this technology on a large scale in the last century. «We believe that this technology should enjoy new attention today» stated the CEO of Lauwerse Scheepsbygger «Our skills allow us to think of highly innovative solutions and to take advantage of new opportunities, and we will». ​

 

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Government prepares to defend trade routes, as prices goes up

Whilst the Tarusan invasion of the Hanseatic Republics had only marginally affected Groenmark, with repercussions limited to the import of raw materials, the new conflict between the Angliarique empire and the Tianlong republic could have serious repercussions on the country's security. The geographical proximity of Frescania, where the first clash occurred, and the possibility that the conflict could escalate constitute a risk for Groenmark, from various perspectives, experts say.
Not being directly involved, the first challenge concerns trade. As highlighted yesterday by the Staatsminister Simon Boer, during a meeting of the parliamentary commission for foreign affairs, Groenmark is a nation that bases its economic prosperity on trade and exports. Therefore «it is vitally important that trade routes to and from Groenmark are safe and accessible».
Economic operators are already pricing the growing uncertainty and greater risks due to geopolitical instability, analysts agree. Several insurance companies have already increased premiums on merchant ships and marine transport, while others will follow in the coming months. But even more worrying are the rumors coming from some shipowners, who would be ready to reduce the number of transports if the safety of personnel and vehicles were to be compromised. The higher costs could lead to an increase in prices of both imported goods, increasing domestic inflation, and exported goods, damaging the competitiveness of Groensk production outside the borders.
«The government is fully aware of the circumstances we may face in the future and we are ready to take the necessary countermeasures» the Staatsminister said. To ensure the safety of trade routes, the government is preparing naval patrols ready to defend merchant ships heading to and from Gorensk ports. «We are not ready to give up our economic well-being and our sources of wealth. We will guarantee the safety of those who trade with us by any means necessary. This must be clear to everyone», Simon Boer finally warned.




Parliamentary discussion begins to expand nuclear power

The increase in oil prices, caused by the repercussions on global trade of the recent military conflicts in Gallo-Germania, has started to affect consumers in Groenmark, especially when it comes to petrol and utility bills. The discontent of part of the population has reached the public debate, and now political forces are starting to ask themselves how to solve the problem.
It is not the first time that Groenmark has faced such a situation. After the price shock of the 1960s and 1970s, the country developed a strong nuclear sector, which today produces 35% of its electricity. For the Conservative Partij, the largest party in the Folkekammer, the solution remains the same: increase the supply of nuclear energy, which they argue is safe, clean and affordable.
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Oliver Nielsen, confirmed that it is the government's intention to support the construction of new reactors. Great attention will also be paid to small modular reactors, the first examples of which could soon be built. The Groensk nuclear industry is at the technological forefront, and the ministry is certain that it will be able to meet new national needs. «Nuclear is a reliable energy source, which is based on domestically produced raw materials and technologies, and therefore is the best way to guarantee consumers and businesses safe and affordable energy» Oliver Nielsen said.
The proposal is expected to receive broad parliamentary support. The Conservative Partij, the Liberale Alliance and the Christen-Demokratisch Union have been historical supporters of civil nuclear power. Thus, a possible bill should collect around 350 votes out of 500 in parliament, to which some votes could be added from the SociaalDemokratiet.​