[Raellus]

What would be the state of news media and the press in democracies c.2000?

I'm not sure what state media would be in c.2000. Would there be radio? Perhaps, but wouldn't EMP and shortages of electricity and batteries limit its reach (in terms of households who could listen on a regular basis)? As for newspapers, I can't see there being much newsprint paper being available, and then again you need power to print them (unless you have access to an old steam or manual-powered printing press, and then low volume is an issue) and fuel to move them around. What kind of news media would remain? Would we see a return to the town crier? Broadsides posted in public places, maybe?

I had a player run a reporter character in a Pirates of the Vistula campaign. He didn't last long- he witnessed a summary execution (conducted by another PC) and decided to return to Krakow. Otherwise, until now, for me, news media has been an afterthought vis-à-vis T2K.

What are your thoughts on the news media/press in T2K (c.2000)?