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PaderNews Broomday, 06.16.264
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section One
* Staff
* The Editorial Corner
* Censorship in Journalism
* A Little Logic Puzzle
* Rolling Thunder a Cause for Unease
Section Two
* Vigilante Justice
* Horse Wrangling - Part I
* Portrait Series - Part I
* Padertisements
* Things to Come
* Disclaimer, Submissions, Distribution
STAFF
Editor - Rosencrantz
Deputy - Lilah Song
THE EDITORIAL CORNER
Welcome, dear reader, to the first issue of the neo-PaderNews.
Our track record has not always been stellar in recent years,
but the PaderNews does have a wonderful history to live up to.
The first newspaper in all of Xyllomer, the PaderNews was the
forerunner to many other newspapers, including the now-defunct
Xyllomerian Spy, the short-lived Arakeen, and the world-famous
Atlantis Today. The golden days of the PaderNews have long
sinced passed away. Still, the legends of the famous (and
infamous) reporters of the old PaderNews are a wonderful goal
to reach for. It's my hope that someday, the PaderNews will
become once again a truly independent and functional newspaper,
and perhaps provide the Atlantis Today with some serious
competition. Until that day, I hope that you can enjoy the
small variety of articles and reports that the PaderNews team
brings to you.
Blue Du'Sonsa, editor
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CENSORSHIP IN JOURNALISM
When is censorship justified?
Does an editor have the arbitrary power to decide where and
when a journalists' work should be cut? The answer to this
question might be surprising: yes, he or she does. The duty
and existence of an editor is specifically to preview articles
for the newspaper, and choose and refine articles until they
are appropriate for publishing. But where is the line drawn
between appropriate editing and inappropriate censorship?
The question of whether this line was crossed or not was prompted
by the Atlantis Today's editing of reporter Phaedra's article,
"Witches, Warlocks and Shadows" , appearing in AT issue #30.
Approximately four lines describing a bloody ritual were removed
from the article by the editor. No reason was given to the
journalists for this removal before the publishing of the issue,
nor was the author of the article informed of the cut. The
statement given by the editor in justification of these actions:
"The editor in charge is kept responsible for the papers
content, and everything falls back on him ... I have not
to ask anybody removing such passages from the text,
because it will be my head shopped off for printing such
things."
The AT disclaimer, however, states that the Editor "is responsible
for concept, layout and realization" of the paper.
Perhaps the editor was right to take this decision. The material
may have very well been too sensitive for the public's eyes to see.
However, a discussion with the journalist about the text in question
might have been more beneficial than a complete blackout of the four
controversial lines. Could it have been rephrased? Was it vital to
the article? What was inappropriate about it? These questions all
seemed to be overlooked, in favour of the sensationalist and mysterious
tactic of leaving an editor's comment in place of those four lines.
The disturbing fact about this censorship is that it seems to have
been motivated by a fear of personal safety. If censorship of articles
occurs in a newspaper because of intimidation and fear, then many of the
reasons for writing for a newspaper, to inform and expose important
controversies or events to the public, is defeated.
The censorship which occured in the AT both directly and indirectly
caused the resignation of many the AT's star reporters and co-editor.
Was this censorship and protection of the Atlantis Today's administration,
and the manner in which it was dealt with, worth the cost of the valuable
journalistic input of its former reporters?
As an interesting sidenote, three other journalists from the Atlantis
Today were recently fired for the reasons of being truly anonymous
reporters. This raises an interesting point: if an editor choses not to
publish an article for fear of repercussions, and yet does not allow his or
her own reporters to conduct their investigations in an undercover manner,
then the resulting articles from such a paper will be necessarily edited
by fear. For the Atlantis Today, it may mean a fundamental change in its
reporting style. But for both the reporters and the readers of the AT,
it is a regrettable loss of journalistic freedom.
reporting for the PaderNews,
Rosencrantz
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A LITTLE LOGIC PUZZLE
There is a mythical tribe where only two kinds of indians exist.
The Blackbear Indians who only tell the truth and the Whitesun Indians
who only lie. Well, an indian from another tribe goes to their
village and meets three indians. He doesn't know which ones are
Blackbear Indians and which are Whitesun Indians. He asks the
first indian, "Are you a Blackbear Indian?", the indian answers.
The second indian points at the first indian and says, "He denied
being a Blackbear Indian." The third indian points a the first
indian and says, "He is a Blackbear Indian."
Well, you can't figure out exactly which one is which but you
can figure out how many Blackbear Indians and how many Whitesun Indians
there are in this group.
Good Luck, Lilah : )
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ROLLING THUNDER A CAUSE FOR UNEASE
Several reports of seemingly random recurrances of rolling
thunder in the distance may be foreshadowing some darker
news for Primordia. Individuals experienceing this ominous
thunder have reported feeling vaguely uneasy and having
shivers run down their backs.
Though the origin of the thunder remains unknown, much
speculation exists --
- the thunder is the dangerous by-product of mage experiments
with the natural cycles and rhythms of the weather in nature.
- the thunder is an ominous foretelling of the evil lich Toran,
servant of the defeated Baroness, who was rumoured to threaten
Padorn with a vengeful return, assisted by the undead former
Shogun of the Satai, Collin.
- the thunder is the by-product of the newly-formed ogre mages
found in the orc-camp close to New Tilverton, perhaps even some
new magical weapon they discovered and are perfecting.
These theories are of course, only speculation. Recently posted
at the Satai board, however, was an ominous note entitled "The
Pillage of Padorn" :
It comes as the dawn comes, through whatever clouds and
mists may be here or whatever smoke and curtains may be
there. It comes as the day comes to the ships that put
to sea. Don't try to fight, it will only make things
worse.
The note was left anonymously. Coupled with the more frequent
occurances of rolling thunder, this reporter believes that the
implied attack on Padorn and the rolling thunder are somehow
related. Only time will prove, or more hopefully disprove,
these theories.
reporting for the PaderNews, Rosencrantz
VIGILANTE JUSTICE
Court case #21 of Zahara vs. Batboy in Razza has generated much
controversy. Who is right in this matter, a known worshipper of
an evil deity who has been suspected of the murder of innocent
people in the past, and assisting other murderers? Or the tschekal-
happy Satai and fanatical Cleric, who killed her without proof,
justification, or any regard to the law in 'defense' of those who
were already dead?
Here is what physically happened, as closely as this reporter
could trace:
Zahara was in Asyra, near to where the shopkeepers were
located, and alone. Zarkatan was also in Asyra, near to
the shopkeepers, and also originally alone. Both claim
to have been following the other, each suspecting each
other of foul intentions. Zarkatan called on Batboy for
assistance, and upon finding dead shopkeepers, Batboy
attacked Zahara. Together with Zarkatan, they chased
her for a short distance and killed her, and then exchanged
unpleasantries with her ghost afterwards.
So who was right in this case? The arguments of those involved are
listed in chronological order below:
BATBOY, the Satai
21.13.264 - Batboy claims that his actions defend the Codex -
"to protect the innocent, even if it means to risk our life"
In this case, Zahara might have returned and allegedly kill
more gnomes, if he had not killed her. Of course, how
Batboy's life was at all at risk in this relatively quick
battle, in which he was also assisted by a Cleric, is still
unknown ... he also gave personal reasons for the killing,
"I will personally hunt down all you murderes to death."
The only way to prevent this, according to Batboy, is to
a. Kill him first.
b. Get registered, so you can be accused.
Of course, as Zahara was already registered for 15 years in
Razza, and the also that Faysor keeps rolls of registered
persons' names that are rumoured to be accessable to high-
ranking Satai, option "b" is obviously not a factor. So, in
order for Zahara to have prevented her death for her suspected
crime, her only recourse would have been option "a" -- a bit
ironic, as this would have been clearly against the law, and
given anyone a justification to kill her in self-defense.
03.14.264 - Batboy claims that "these" types of people are not
registered. Perhaps a well-deserved stereotype, but still a
stereotype. Reminiscent of the stereotype "all Satai think
with their tschekals."
09.14.264 - Batboy still claims that "there is no chance to settle
a certain situation within the law" because Zahara is not
registered. Also, a free admittance that breaking the law is
well within the rights of any dutiful Satai.
14.14.264 - Batboy admits that to be "100% exact", he did NOT see
Zahara killing the shopkeepers. He also admits that he had
"no idea" she was registered in Razza, and also said "I even
don't care." Quite a bold and contrary position to the one
he took the month before.
It should be noted that all of the above discussion took place on
the Satai board, as of 21.14.264, almost one whole month after the
case was originally brought to the Razza court, and a week after
Batboy discovered that Zahara was, in fact, registered in Razza.
ZARKATAN, the Cleric of Rokoon
21.13.264 - Zarkatan gives religion as his primary reason for
attacking Zahara. Though the gnomes were mentioned briefly
in his note, most of his argument was reserved for denouncing
the evils of Bhaal, not offering conclusive proof or witness
of an actual crime. He also seems to think that the law is
enforced differently for suspected murderers.
As of 21.14.264, Zarkatan had also not commented on the pending case.
This might be due to the fact that he is not registered in Razza, or
if so not registered under his known name.
ZAHARA, the Freemage
07.13.264 - Zahara claims she was "attacked, hunted, and murdered" by
Batboy and Zarkatan for searching herbs in Asyra, and following the
cleric, who she in fact suspected of the crime for which she was
then killed. She also claimed that she was given no opportunity to
speak before she was attacked, and her ghost taunted by both Batboy
and Zarkatan after she was killed. Her story has one flaw, however;
she claimed that she was following Zarkatan because she suspected
him of killing the gnomes. If Zarkatan were to have done this, he
would not only be endangering his future with his guild, but also
violating his guild ethos, which he seems to support with his words
on the Satai board to the point of fanaticism.
11.14.264 - Zahara informs Batboy of her registration, which she claims
to have held for 15 years in Razza. She is registered under her true
name, "Zahara, magicienne from Atalntis."
The question facing the Razza court is clear, then. Legally speaking,
the evidence presented by both the accuser and the accused parties shows
that Zahara was killed unjustly, and both Batboy and Zarkatan's actions
broke the law. On the other hand, Zahara's religion and beliefs are
inherently contradictory to most laws, and what was done might have been
considered a "preemptive strike" against the possibility of future law-
breaking. What will prevail in this case? The spirit of justice, which
Batboy and Zarkatan claim to have been protecting, or the letter of the
law, which they both clearly ignored? If this use of "vigilante justice"
is accepted by the court in Razza, one has to wonder-- will it become a
new era of peace and security, or a new era of legally condoned disregard
for the law?
reporting for the PaderNews, Rosencrantz
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HORSE WRANGLING
Horses are an expensive investment for the inexperienced rider to
make. But with a little training, practice, and savvy shopping,
riding horses can easily become practical and a pleasure! Here
are a few tips to get the novice horse-rider started:
1. Be sure to train your own skills first, before purchasing
your horse. Often, horses will recognize incompetence in their
masters and refuse to follow them, no matter how strongly one
tugs on their reins. The best course it to learn the refinements
of the skill, rather than to attempt brute force, in controlling
horses. Good places to learn these skills are the expensive
Razza Warriors, which train both animal handling and horse riding
to quite good masteries. For those on a budget, Dana's Skill
Gymnasium in Silverlining is a feasible alternative for the horse-
riding skill, while Rebeth the scout will offer good prices for
animal-handling. Of course, the cheapest way to learn is to teach
yourself, but this takes an extraordinary amount of time, and is
generally not worth considering until you have at least an average
grasp of your skills.
(This article is 1 in a 4-part series.)
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PORTRAIT SERIES
The Author
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Greetings, reader. The next few issues will feature a short
series of portraits which I've managed to sketch. This week
is a self-portrait.
Rosencrantz
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****PADERTISEMENTS****
LOOKING FOR A STEADY JOB WITH GOOD PAY?
Then look no further! The PaderNews is hiring
any prospective journalists who wish to report
on news or other topics in the Primordia region.
The office of the PaderNews can be found on the
western side of Baker Street, just off the Main
Road in Padorn. Stop by and join the team!
***** Your ad could be here at no charge to you! *****
* *
* The PaderNews offers free advertisement space for *
* trading, announcements, or any other public *
* information. Contact the editor for details. *
* *
******************************************************
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THINGS TO COME
Look for these exciting articles in your next issue of PADERNEWS!
* A Retrospective of Women in Power
* Haftams' family holdings in Padorn claimed for defaulting
on payments!
* Tenaos: Remembering the Legend
* and much more!
Comments, suggestions, and responses to articles are always welcome
for upcoming issues! Contact the editor with your ideas at our office.
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