"A public broadcasting service?" Melhof repeated, a little perplexed by the idea. "You mean...state media?"
"No, nothing quite," I hastily reassured, understanding what he meant. "It's somewhere between that and a more private company. Freedom, but with responsibility."
His confusion about the idea was understandable, given what I was proposing was something that I don't think even Union did. They did have state and private media companies in the Metropolitans, but I can't recall of any that straddled the line in-between. Sure, ThirdComm liked to tout that everything you hear from their lips is the one and only truth...but they liked to talk about how good everything was on surface.
About how an ideal united humanity was just around the corner, when the truth was that the Metropolitan Utopias were still in the minority compared to the Disasporans in the universe.
They also liked to gloss quite a bit over about ongoing disputes or conflicts everywhere, refraining from talking about things which ruined the image of a perfect Union. Sure, I understood that Lancer was definitely a setting about things getting better, but I thought that just pretending such things didn't exist wasn't the right way about things. People had the right to know and come up with their own takes, in my opinion.
This viewpoint also applied to the likely heavily regulated megacorp media, who probably had to play by ThirdComm's rules of 'everything is fine, there is no war in Union.' They controlled the message that came through, what the people heard- which meant that if they were told I was guilty of war crimes alongside all the other media channels, then there wasn't a chance for my arguments to be heard otherwise. I'd be just handed a guilty verdict by a jury of my peers who all thought that way then.
But if Cavia happened to developed a public broadcasting service with somebody like Melhof at the helm, not afraid to air opinions of all different sorts, then I think that's my shot at wiggling out a small niche of doubt!
"What your new company would be doing is taking the news and reporting it in the most unbiased or direct way possible, with perhaps some opinion or discussion allowed within personal discretion," I explained. "You would even have contacts within the administration to get told directly what was happening, so you'd almost always would be the first to see a developing story.
"From there then, the connected media outlets of formerly Araignee Studios would disseminate and maybe even dissect it afterwards with even more colored opinions. Or perhaps for more specialized news, they would instead be the first to debut the story themselves if its something very important locally or to the audience base they appeal to."
"Much like how an art gallery can have multiple floors that appeal to different themes." He was starting to see my vision, and he was really liking it. "We perhaps provide the canvas or the topic, then perhaps do some ourselves to set a neutral tone. Then we let others follow suit, but in whatever strokes and paints they wish."
"Exactly," I told with a beaming expression. "A healthy, varied media landscape where everybody can show off themselves quite freely. And it doesn't have to be limited to just news either."
"Yes, of course. Things like movies, dramas, comedies-" He froze before frowning, glancing at the list of assets from Veronica. "Hm. But that might prove difficult, Commander."
"How so?"
"Actors would need to be paid. Sets need to be built. Special effect teams commissioned," he listed out, going over the responsibilities that any good producer would fret about. "It all is more than surely what a government grant would do. Unless you intend to be that generous in funding?"
I shook my head. "No, it'd unfortunately be too much. And also send the wrong sort of message."
It also made such an organization dependent on the government to fund it in perpetuity, even if it grew itself. I could say with confidence that between Melhof and I it would work out, but for whoever came down the line to replace either me or him in time it'd be a nasty headache. The bond had to be there, yes, but separated still somehow so that press and government were not one and the same.
Fortunately, thanks to how the previous enterprise had been set up, there was some leeway already. Whatever replacement for Araignee Studios was created could probably see a trickle of revenue from the stations below paying royalties and the like, funds going up the chain from the subsidiaries and into the parent company. But that probably wasn't going to be enough, especially if any of them got bold ideas to cut off the upstream and strike it out themselves for whatever reason, especially if it organized with all the others.
The replacement had to stand by itself in such case, and so needed an independent source of revenue. Which, as with most forms of the arts, took a critical thing. "I want you to consider the idea of paid and vetted sponsorship from advertising companies."
I remembered from my old life that independent video creators would often take ad deals where they spoke warmly about and demonstrated a product they 'liked' consuming, which was a much more personal form of advertising. The issue was that often times, what they were saying could sometimes be lies whether it came to the features of the sponsorship, or hidden kickbacks that their audience never knew about. Small and big things that, once exposed, eroded trust between creator and viewer. We can't have that for a public broadcasting service.
So in its place, I would instead lean more to the idea that the sponsorship be very much more transparent. Nothing 'integrated' into a news segment or show, but a clear break in-between where the ads were played alongside a very clear reason for sponsorship by the sides of both advertiser and creator. Something to make it very clear it was a transactional relationship, unless the advertiser really was just doing it for the love of the game.
Well, I mean, there might be some goodhearted folks out there willing to donate even, so that was the hope.
Melhof thought about it, brow furrowing. "I can't say I have much experience working with advertisers, especially as everything beforehand was always fully funded and paid for by House Hessin. But I think I can at least learn, if you're willing."
"It'd be an experience for both of us, along with likely whoever wanted to participate in this. They'll learn quick enough that it isn't just regular, flashy advertisement; it has to be something more for the community."
"I could see it. Almost like a public message of support, as 'why we firmly believe and support Cavia Broadcasting Service.' Ah, sorry, that just a name that sprung up in my head-"
"No, that sounds quite interesting. CBS, hm?" I tested it and found it catchy enough. "That'll do if you want to make it your new studio name."
"Y-yes, I do!" The movie producer looked really excited now, hand tapping against his thigh as those creative juices I was counting on flowed. "We could do so much good, tell so many great and little stories out there. Establish an actual cultural footprint for our people."
"That's the spirit, I'm liking what you're going at." I paused, then decided to get a little serious. "On that note though, I also want to ask you very directly on what you think about the rebel broadcast. Have you heard about it?"
Now there was a flash of annoyance on his face. "Who hasn't? If you were to ask me, it's quite crass and tasteless. No actual statement or purpose, just an angry frowning face on a canvas without thought or merit. Frankly speaking, Commander, I would have rejected it from airing if I had the power."
"I see. But if it were maybe something more put together?" I tested out, trying to see where he felt on the matter. "If there was effort to it?"
He paused, eyes narrowing. Ah, I think he realized that this interview wasn't quite over yet. "...It would depend, honestly. I would have to judge it on case-by-case."
"Say that they added more flashy visuals."
"Low-effort."
"Say they decided to make it a song."
"Possibly, but back to the drawing room."
"Say they decided to make it a full show and enunciate their grievances with the government."
"A little better, but I'd insist on adding a few tweaks."
I raised my eyebrow. "Like what?"
"I would have made it more contrast. More dramatic," Melhof described. "Make the pro-rebel argument one side, the pro-establishment on the other. Have it be a debate where they go back and forth on their points, listing out what their beliefs and giving the other side the chance to argue otherwise. They don't necessarily need to come to an agreement, but so long as audience gets the chance to view things from both sides, then it works."
"Sounds promising." A thought struck me then and I threw out a last scenario. "What if one side just starts insulting and berating the other in very personal attacks with little relevancy to the matter?"
"Crude and unsophisticated," he instantly replied with a sniff. "I would not air it, unless the setting is changed entirely to a mere shit-flinging avenue. Only then would such things suffice."
Good, I think I've hired an art snob for handling government media. Excellent. "Veronica will be running a few things in the background to check you out, but otherwise, please take some time to already start making arrangements. That is, if you still want the position."
"I would at least like to give it a shot, if nothing else. That way in failure, perhaps I could maybe make it a story with time."
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Things moved very quickly after that. With Melhof the newly named Producer of the Cavia Broadcasting Service, the errant media channels were reined in and the repeated call for rebellion was silenced. In its place first were a set of little announcements from me that we were taking this possible insurgency very seriously, but prioritizing public safety came first. As much as I wanted to have a manhunt to find whoever the hell was leading this supposed rebellion, it would be a very bad look if at the slightest disquiet I immediately went full raiding and sacking houses to try and find the source.
So I'd have a few soldiers walking to the streets to help maintain law and order, only just a patrol or two to help resolve issues.
I made sure to stress that if anybody ever needed help, for whatever reason, they could go to one of these patrols and request aid. Be it a domestic argument or just somebody feeling a little unsafe going home, we were there to provide. Major Rowles complained to me that she had to use her Everest to help rescue a cat that had gotten stuck on a roof on one such occasion, giving a little sniff when I pointed out she was smiling a bit.
Helping to also ease the idea that my soldiers were here to help was my proposed sword to plowshares program, an experiment in which the army would go at the hydroponics facilities with the aid of the logistics corps, helping to restore and rebuild the severely neglected buildings. Melhof worked like an artist possessed, making sure to capture the sight of the engineers fixing up those vital food production facilities, be it state or privately owned, and then showed them off via CBS with only technical commentary.
Then it spread to the subsidiary news stations and soon, there were different opinions on whether or not this was good for everybody, or if it was just good for the government. I loved now being able to ask Veronica to turn on the television and seeing people debate honestly about what they think should be done, some even more concerned about what sort of crops they would be growing next. It felt...normal.
That's right. After a very stressful time, Cavia was starting to return to normal. And slightly profitable, as Captain Feng's investigation of those orbital dockyards had yielded something very valuable: high-pressure hardsuits, meant for diving the oceans of Cavia II.
Once I had informed the Prynth Mining Union of those raw resource nodes on the water planet and suggested they perhaps start expanding, things really kicked off there. Chief Kyle instantly agreed to my proposed deal to buy whatever was left after meeting Harrison Armory's minimum, diverting any and all extra ore purchases my way instead of the megacorp for surprisingly less upcharge than I had offered.
Huh, thought they would have wanted to make more money. Maybe they had too much though? Ah, I really ought to have a chat someday about their structure, or at least leave notes to my successor to handle.
It did also earn me a rather dry and slightly scathing letter from Erica. The captain of the asset protection team had been picked up with all the other Harrison Armory personnel when their ship came back soon after. Though her message also hinted that she was coming back soon enough, making me wonder if perhaps I had really upset somebody higher up in the managerial chain of her organization. I can't imagine any other reason why she of all people would be sent back.
Well, hopefully she'd have the decency to forgive and forget when I'm out of office.
On that front, things were finally moving. The day had come and the various community representatives I'd requested for were showing up, all of them sounding eager to have a part in shaping the future government of Cavia. It was something that had the capital of Kavgarad in a right tizzy, locals actually coming out to cheer them on in the streets. Rowles' best soldiers stood lining the sidewalks, making sure that there was no sort of trouble on very important day like this.
No way was I going to let any sort of trouble from this supposed rebellion group happen today. Even if I was going to be a little heavy-handed, it was for the safety of everybody. The occasion was important enough to break my rule slightly there.
Or so I told myself while noticing my reflection in the window I was watching the procession through.
I exhaled noisily and turned back to my desk, checking to make sure I had memorized the right conference room for this gathering. I also wanted to make sure I had the various faces of this occasion memorized, as I'd never met almost all of them before. I hadn't reason to yet, as they represented factions that I had decided to mostly remain uninvolved with. If only to avoid being accused of 'influencing them' during this pivotal moment in Cavia's history.
"Veronica, are you there?" I asked aloud.
"Always sir."
"Do you have the profiles of the various representatives loaded up? I want to know who I'll be talking to today."
"I do, sir. You needn't have asked."
I huffed and turned around to face my waiting NHP. "Maybe, but I feel like that's the polite thing to do. Instead of demanding you to tell it to me."
"...You needn't concern yourself so."
"It's not a concern. It's a courtesy." I waved my hand to indicate I was moving on from the exchange and onto business. "Alright then, so there's going to be what, a dozen participants? Including myself?"
"Actually, more sir, if you were to include the CBS camera crew," she mentioned. "But otherwise, yes, a dozen actual participants at the most with yourself being one of them."
That sounded like a hopefully healthy number to represent the various interests of an entire planet. Maybe? I'm not so sure, but well, maybe Lancer as a setting thought so. It wasn't like I could call a delay for the conference and demand more be sent for a more 'accurate' delegation. Again, maybe it was actually enough and I was just overreacting, especially as this was laying out the framework of a government instead of proper representation. We could always include a more accurate headcount later.
I would be representing the interests of the Seventh Expeditionary Task Force in this event, representing the only armed forces currently in the system. I had to do everything in my power to ensure that they at least would have a place in this new administration, that we weren't immediately declared an occupying force that must vacate itself. Because then I'd…
No. No, I couldn't consider the alternative of what would happen then. I had to make this work. And really, since it's my only concern, it should be easy.
I could be biased. I could strike backroom deals with the other representatives. A little shady, but so long as it wasn't anything that would harm whatever new administration came forth, it would be fine. Especially if I stressed that my forces was what was going to protect Cavia in the foreseeable future. Hopefully I garnered a little bit of goodwill with Melhof's appointment.
I mean, come on. It's not like I had an obligation to be neutral. I wasn't the going to be like the chairman for this now, was I?
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"Sir, it would appear the vote is near unanimous," my AI declared after tallying the submissions and turned to me. "Commander Moores, the appointed representatives would like to request you act as chairman president to establish good moral conduct and lay the ground rules for this conference."
Oh, fuck me.