Niploma
| |||||
| Motto: Community | |||||
| Spoken Languages - Official - Unofficial |
English, Gaelic Greek, Pali, Hindi, Arabic and German. | ||||
| Capital and large cities | Failegn, Rhorn, Khurun and Hein | ||||
| Head of State and Prime Minister | Odhran Torin | ||||
| Population - Total (2006) |
1,389,000,000 | ||||
| Establishment - Declared - Recognised |
March 18 1936 March 29 1936 | ||||
| Government type | Ex-Socialist Democracy, Liberal Democracy | ||||
| Nation type | Social Democratic Republic | ||||
| National animal | Niplomian Fox | ||||
| National flower | Siolta Dubh | ||||
| GDP (2005) - Total - GDP/capita |
$54,365,165,111,760 $39,139.79 | ||||
| Currency | 1 SDRN Pfund (Pf) = 100 penh (p) | ||||
| International Abbreviations - sport - government |
SDRN N, SDRN | ||||
| Pronunciation | /kn-ip-low-marr/ | ||||
| Internet TLD | .sdrn | ||||
| Calling Code | +50 | ||||
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Niploma (full name: Social Democratic Republic of Niploma, Gaelic translation: Poblacht Dhaonlathach Sóisialta na Niploma) is a large island in Rineu. Niploma is a democractic republic that evolved from a socialistic state to a thriving liberal economy. Habitants are called Niplomians.
Niploma is a major regional power helping to construct defence pacts whilst retaining the position of Delegate, Defence Minister and Interior Minister in the Anumist Alliance.
Although created through a socialist revolution Niploma has since become a liberal-democracy with a strong economy. It has a progressive tax system which favours the poor. The current Head of State is the Prime Minister Torin. Under the long time socialist governmental party Niploma actually drifted towards social-democracy and liberalism. It is noted for favouring enviromental causes too. Furthermore Niploma has been noted as a country that evolved out of socialism quickly into a thriving republic.
Contents
History - Feudalism to Republic
Introduction
Niploma began as the Feudal Republic of Bhumerick and Niploma in 1136. It was ran by an Oligarchy which ensured Niploma remained a regular agricultural nation. By 1878, however, Niploma slowly grew a working-class in the cities and by 1900's a socialist movement. Socialist sects in industrialised areas began strikes and marches. Such action was dealt with harshly by the government and royalist groups. Indeed an unspoken deal of mistrust began that caused disrespect between the 'ruling class' and working class. Furthermore with every strike the workers caused the government would deal another fatal blow - be it through stopping food or by halting gas and the like for warmth.
Social problems erupted in Niploma in 1926 when 250,000 armed peasents and workers marched on Failegn protesting over working conditions. The Kings' army was sent to intercept them and a street battle ensued for almost three months. An estimated 125,000 peasents and workers were murdered, many of whom were unarmed, a mere 1200 soldiers were killed, many of whom beaten to death brutally. The time was remembered as the 'Battle of Failegn' due to the locale. However, it was the beginning of the revolution.
Civil War
The 125,000 workers and peasents fleed home and many were seen as heroes to the working classes. The Battle of Failegn inspired the Niplomian Communist Army (NCA), an army that soon numbered 750,000. The NCA had two points, to overthrow the Oligarchy by any means possible and install a Communist republic. By 1932 a civil war was in full flow with the Government forces being attacked throughly by the NCA. However, the NCA fought crudly with little tactics or leadership. Many were slaughtered. A more lenient faction within the NCA disbanded and created the Socialist Resistance (SR) who wanted to overthrow the Oligarchy but end the civil war straight away.
The Civil War continued regardless of the SR and the unprecidented loses on the NCA side. Failegn was being attacked every night by the NCA and the Kings lifes were constantly in danger. NCA troops were coming infamous for their terror tactics used. By the 3rd June 1934 both Kings were killed by an SR sniper. This threw Government forces and the Government itself into dissaray. To the outside world it looked certain the once-winning Government was falling by the knees. The Government ordered a retreat of all Government forces to Failegn. Failegn was fully protected and became the HQ and Base of all Government troops. The Government was in a powerful posistion, everything that the NCA and SR wished to destroy was in Failegn. Government troops numbered 550,000 and NCA troops numbered a mere 350,000. A siege began.
Second Battle of Failegn
On the 6th September 1934 the Siege of Failegn began, it soon became known as the Second Battle of Failegn. NCA troops began night excersions into the city and became highly skilled at killing Government forces leaders. Several commanders had been assinated by the end of 1934.
However, by the end of the 1934 the once small SR group had begun sweep missions around the country, freeing NCA controlled towns of tryranny and fighting skirmishes with the government forces. SR fighters only numbered 150,000 but many were highly skilled. SR had high support from locals in the Northern half of the country who suppiled the group with food and supplies. However, in the South and in Failegn itself SR troops were barelly seen, with the exception of their assasins.
Failegn was being held by Government troops but at a significant loss. By February 1935 Government troops numbered 360,000 and the now adapted NCA troops numbered 200,000. A final push by NCA troops began on 3rd March 1935 and was named Operation Swallow. It aimed to place as many NCA troops in the city as possible and hold out until more peasents joined the cause. Unfrotunately for the NCA Commanders, none knew of the lack of support the NCA now had, and the thriving support the SR kept. Barely any peasents supported the NCA during Operation Swallow.
In early 1935 SR began marching into the Southern half of Niploma and also began peace talks with small groups of Government troops still left in some areas. Nearly all of these troops either joined the SR or simply dropped arms and ran.
Operation Swallow began well as international photographers took photos of NCA troops entering central buildings, most famously of all, entering one of the ex-King's palaces. NCA troops suffered signifcant losses but Government troops were taken back by the suprise attack and now Government troops numbered at 150,000 troops (many of whom exhausted and left without a cause). NCA troops were in high spirit but were spread throughout the city and without many supplies or support. They numbered 80,000.
Operation Swallow continued until 25th August 1935 when NCA troops entered peaceful negotiations with the Government. Exhausted and finally demoralised the now small NCA (numbering 12,500) dropped arms on 12th October 1935 and all leaders were assinated. Many troops fleed Failegn and left to the South were they began to control the area. Finally, the Government troops had won the Second Battle. They numbered a weak 56,000 troops. Around them a war-torn Failegn stood and just thirty five miles from the city the SR's new HQ stood. SR troops numbered 250,000 and several million supported them. The smart SR had nearly all Niploma under its control, was peaceful to its people and hugely outnumbered Government troops.
Final Stand and the 1936 Peace Agreement
Destroyed Governmental forces began a Final Stand agains the now popular SR and the final battle for Failegn began on 23rd December 1935. SR troops numbered 250,000 and Government troops numbered an unfortunate 56,000. On 16th January 1936 SR troops held the new Niplomian 'Tricolour' (Green for Niploma, White for Peace and Orange for Socialism/Liberalism) and stormed the Governmental House. By the morning of the 17th January a telegram was wired to SR HQ declaring Peace talks could begin.
Throughout January Peace talks began. The two parties discussed about the future of the country, the war and the war torn Failegn. Finally on 18th March 1936 the 'Peace Agreement' was signed. It was agreed that Governmental Forces all had to, and did, surrender, its leaders be deported or shot and a new Republic be installed. This new Republic would tie together Niploma and Bhumerick into one nation. This Republic was named the Social Democratic Republic of Niplomaand alternatively for then huge Gaelic peoples the name Shóisialta Poblacht Dhaonlathach na Niploma could be used informally. This Republic was recougnised on 29th March 1936 alongside the treaty. The war had ended, and a new Niploma had begun.
Aftermath
Naturally the war left a huge stain across the country. Failegn had to be rebuilt and billions were given in aid in the rebuilding of the country. However by 1945 most of the country had been rebuilt and citizens were generally pleased with the new Niploma.
In 1958 the Socialist Resistance government called for the first Democratic Election. SR stood under the name of Socialist Internationalist Party, a name that stands today. However, the Socialist Internationalist Party is wholly peaceful. The first Parliament and Government voted on a new name, the Social Democratic Republic of Niploma. The first elected Prime Minister was Alsandair Healey who served for 15 years as elected PM. He is commonly cited as the 'Father of Niploma' and is heavily admired by socialists and centrists alike due to his mixture of common policies.
Interestingly no NCA action has been reported since the 1950's and the group declared a diisbandment of weapons in 1967. Once peaceful, the ex-members of the NCA created the Official Communist Workers Party.
However the Civil War has arguably created trouble in the South due to the placement of war veterans in the area. This lead to a seperatist movement in the South. The Southern Seperatist Movement is in full flow after the bomb attack upon Failegn in 1993. What began a communist uprising after the war has now evolved into a seperatist movement for Bhumerick and its peoples.
Provisional Government
From creation in 1936 to 1956 Niploma was run by a tight knitted cabinet which was known as the Provisional Government (provos). The Provisional Government had no leader and all decisions were made in secret by unanimous vote. The Provisional Government firstly gave land back to the people - which encouraged self-leadership in small towns for several years. A one Alsandiar Healey (Head of Finance 1950-1956, advisor prior) controlled a socialist economy much to the peoples benefit. Niploma also closed all ideas of isolationism and opened up trade and social relations to other states (internationalism).
Prime Minister and Head of State
Alsandair Healey was chosen by the Provisional Government as the front-runner of the now historic Socialist Internationalist Party for the first democratic election to be held in 1958.
Alsandair Healey to Edward Fitzgerald
Alsandair Healey won the 1958 election and managed a hypermajority in the Democratic House (controlling 670/750 seats). Under Healey Niploma became a democratic-socialist state - all business was nationalised, workers were given control in business and education was free. In addition Healey implaced socially-liberal laws into the country and abandoned the mix of church and state, legalised interacial marriage, legalised the use of burin (along with all drugs) and allowed citizens to go about their daily lifes with little government intervantion.
The second general election in 1967 resulted in a weakened majority of 540/750 seats. Again, Healey went on to push through liberal ideas together with socialist economics in the Democratic House. Healey announced an end to his political career in 1970 declaring he would not stand for the next election. The social-democrat Edward Fitzgerald was chosen as sucessor by the Socialist Internationalist Party. Due to Healeys poor running of the party (resulting in more social-democrats and centrists entering than socialists) Fitzgerald was easily chosen by party members. As expected Fitzgerald won the third general election and improved seat tally to 678/750 although allowed the authortarian Official Communist Workers Party to advance into opposition with 44 seats.
Fitzgerald began to turn around the country towards a more centrist recougnised country. Small businesses were allowed economic freedom, along with several of the largest. To counter this his Cabinet forced that unions be allowed more freedoms to protest in privatised companies. Fitzgerald was a true unionist and moved much typical Niplomian business into southern-Niploma - the area once known as Bhumerick. This sparked off support for the Official Communist Workers Party (aided by communist fighters in the south) in southern-Niploma and helped spark off the first seperatist movement which was not to air again until 1993.
Fitzgerald won back the Democratic House again in 1976 but died later that year in December of a suspected heart-attack. Some historians argue that Fitzgerald was posioned by Communist or Communist aired Seperatists in southern-Niploma. Officialy, this is dismissed.
Geography
Niploma is a huge island in the Region of Rineu thats size cannot be countered by any other nation in the region. Although a centralized, and not federal state, the country can be divided into three 'regions';
- The North (with Rhorn as the largest city)
- Central Niploma (with Failegn as the largest city)
- southern-Niploma/ Bhumerick (with Khurun as the largest city)
Niploma enjoys a typically flat terrain that favours agriculture - the stimulus of nearly all business until the civil war. There are, however, differances across the island. 'The North' is typically more mountainous and enjoys a large mountain range known as the 'Herald-Browne Range'. 'Central Niploma', meanwhile, is typically flat and enjoys several long sprawling rivers. 'Bhumerick' is also flat but less irrigated and has lead to the area becoming more industrious to combat the fact that farming cannot be completed in the area.
Climate
Niploma has a very temperate climate with plenty of rainfall. Seasons, however, are quite drastic in Niploma. A short, desperate, hot summer dominates the months of June and July with temperatures reaching 35 degrees celcius. The autumn, however, is normal and lasts from August to October. From November to March a viscious winter ensues with temperatures falling below zero and heavy rainfall throughout (aswell as snowfall). March to June is sarcastically named 'Harsh Season' due to being abnormally moderate when compared to summer and winter.
The lowest recorded temperatures in Niploma was recorded in the 'Herald-Browne Range' on January 16th 1921 when the chill reached -37 degrees. Meanwhile, the hottest temperature was reached in the Bhumerick city of Cáplva when the heat soared to 41 degrees.
Economy
Background
Niploma was created on the backs of Socialist radicals. The SR's SIP Government created a Socialist state in the fourties and fifties. However after the value of the Pfund dropped radically private industries were allowed on a small scale. This form of 'Sociali-light-ism' continued until the 1980's. The eighties saw Socialism begin to get torn apart. SIP, the ruling party, began reforms. When ex-PM Robert took power in 1993 he radically moved to capitalism. This worked well at first, crushing right-wing enemies and dramtically increasing production. But Niploma was not ready. Capitalism fell apart in the late 1990's and when PM Torin took power he called for a re-introuction to Sociali-light-ism. He has dubbed this Liberal-Socialism, liberal due to the free market policies and socialistic to ensure it still benefits the public. All of this is generally seen as the slow stepping stone to capitalism in Niploma. Some argue the 'SR Socialist experiment' has 'failed' in Niploma. There ar several parties that excist now, many now have straigt left-right economics as key policies. Left-wing People's Coalition supports Liberal-Socialism and some miracle third-way. Libertarian Reform Party support a Robert style revamp to Capitalism.
Statistics
For most Niplomians citizens they lead a reasnobly comfortable life. With a well funded public-service program they are well catered for by the state. From their own pursuits of money they do reasnobly well considering the high tax rate. GDP per Capita hovers at the $30,000 mark. The Anumist Alliance's average is normally around the $9000-$13000 area. Unemployment hovers between 1% and 3% whilst one SDRN Pfund trades for the equivalent of two US Dollars - an excellent trade rate.
The Government's main concerns appear to be Healthcare, Education, Social Welfare and Administration. Recently, several political parties have demanded that at least some money should be spent on Law & Order and Defence. Suddenly, whilst under Torin, Law & Order spending has drastically increased to almost 15% of Government spending. Also, since the Greens left the Government Coalition enviroment spending has almost halved under the the Social-Democratic Party of Niploma rule.
Justice and Law
Tradionally Niploma has held up liberal social thoughts. To help aid the reader in understanding Niploma's law below is a list of crimes and their minimum/ maximum sentance:
- Treason: min. life imprisonment, max. public hangining
- Murder: min. 10 years, max. 25 years
- Manslaughter: min. 5 years, max. 10 years
- Rape: min. 5 years, max. 10 years
- Break and Enter: Non-prison sentance
- Petty Theft: Non-prison sentance/ No sentance
Culture and Religion
National Anthem
The Niplomian Spirit is the National Anthem of Niploma. The anthem celebrates the birth of the Social Democratic Republic of Niploma in 1936 by the Socialist Resistance.
Traditionally, although more of an 'urban legend', this anthem was sung by members of the SR after storming the the Governmental House. It is more thought to be a piece of Nationalistic Patriotic art for the Niplomian peoples.
Culture
Niploma's capital, Failegn, is the cultural hub for Niploma. The famous West Street has been a youth scene for generations and in the Oligarchaic reign Failegn was still seen as the place to be for Niploma's ruling classes. Traditionally, Niploma had strong gaelic culture based upon Catholicism, Paganism, folk music and large meetings.
Today, Niploma mixes its traditional gaelic culture with Buddhism and Islam. With Buddhists as the largest religious groupings there are several hundred monasteries dotted around the country and several city squares even have a statue of the Buddha - especially in Buddhist-heavy areas. Islam tradition has hit Niploma peacefully with a 'live and let live' approach to Islam from Niplomians.
Niploma's national plant, the síolta dubh (literally 'black seed'), produces an icon of Niploma - Burin.
Music is embraced in Niploma. Although modern pop and rock has taken over a lot of traditional celt is still played frequently.
Religion
Due to the diversity of Niploma no religion is considered largest with the exception of Athiesm, a philiospohy most Niplomians have uptaken, but of course is not a religion in itself. However the last census indicated religious numbers so forth:
- Athiest/Agnostic 42%
- Buddhist 21%
- Christian 15%
- Muslim 12%
- Hindu 5%
- Jewish 3%
- Other, mostly Pagan 2%
Language
English is Niploma's main official laungage. It is spoken fluently by almost 100% of citizens. Gaelic is considered Niplomas second laungage, it is taught to a high level in the vast majority of schools. About 60% of Niplomians speak good to fluent Gaelic. Other laungages include Pali and/ or Sanskrit, imported through the Buddhist religion, about 12% of the country can speak it to an intermediate level. Arabic is spoken fluently by about 5% of the population. Due to all this, much of the country is not just bilingual, but trilingual. Other launagages include German and Greek. The anciet laungage of Niploma, Niplomian (i.e 'the langauge of the people') is considered a historical language. However, some traditionalists (a megre 1-3%) still use the language for social reasons.
Holidays
Niploma celebrates several holidays. The most recougnised are:
- New Years Day - 1st January
- Niploma Day - 18th March
- May Day - 1st May
- Buddha Day - 16th May
- Samhain - 31st October
- Christmas Day - 25th December
- New Years Eve - 31st December
Armed Forces & International Affairs
For all respective information please visit Niplomian Armed Forces.
Ex PM Robert pushed for an extremely neo-internationalist policy when in Government. He created and joined SANDI, a mutual assistance pact with several nations.
Current PM Torin wishes to push ahead with these ideas.
Niploma is the Founder of Hethrum.
Politics & Government of Niploma
Niploma has a highly regarded democratic political system. It is a Parliamentary Democracy where the Prime Minister is not just the head of government but also head of state.
Niploma has a bimerical house system where the Democratic House is the most powerful chamber whilst the Niplomian Senate is the scrutinising chamber. Furhter down are local councils such as Failegn City Council.
The Prime Minister is the recougnised Premier, Head of Government and Head of State. The 'PM' must be a member of the Democratic House and of at least 21 years of age. Currently David McKibben of the Libertarian Reform Party is the Prime Minister. It should be noticed that there is the ongoing debate over whether or not Niploma's Head of State should be reformed and changed to a seperately elected and accountable President.
The Democratic House is Niploma's main chamber. All Bills and Laws are debated upon and voted upon in here. Members are named 'Deputies'. There are roughly 750 Deputies as of present although this is set to decrease to 700 under new laws. New laws deem that two hundred Deputies will reperesent two hundred constituencies (and be elected through plurality) whilst the remaining fivew hundred Deputies shall be elected en masse via proportional multi voting representation. Under political science this is termed 'multi-member-representation'.
Deputies are elected at least every four years.
The two hundred 'Senators' are elected at least every eight years (alongside Democratic House elections) to fill the Senate. To allow a connection to citizens all Senators are elected under the Single Transferable Vote from 300 constituencies.
For over twenty years the political platform has been dominated by the current Social-Democratic Party of Niploma against the capitalist Libertarian Reform Party. The Niplomian Labour Party is only recent but is making large gains as a third party.
Political parties have, until very recently, worked very well together. Usually parties will vote for a Bill they support regardless of their views of the government. This can be broken between the major parties especially with David McKibben, head of the Libertarian Reform Party, whom consistently acts heavy handed towards other politicians
Democratic House Deputies
The 15th Niplomian General Election elected bth the Senate and Democratic House in radically different ways. The Democratic House had 200 members elected from plurality seats, 500 from a party list and an additional 10 from external Niplomians living abroad. The Senate used the STV version of voting to electect its 200 Senators.
| Party | Leader(s) | Description | Plurality Seats | Popular Seats | Percentage of Popular Votes | Seats in Democratic House, Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libertarian Reform Party | David McKibben | The Libertarian Reform Party (LRP, Libertarians, Reform Party) had been the long standing opposition. Now in power the LRP will advance Niploma into a free market and end the 'sanction' of personal liberty. | 83 | 174 | 34.76% | 257, 275 |
| Social-Democratic Party of Niploma | Odhran Torin | The Social-Democratic Party of Niploma (SD, Social-Democrats) had been in governance for nearly half a decade until this election. The battered and bruised party is now trying to re-group and fight back against long time rivals the LRP. The Social-Democrats are a centre-left party who follow the typical ideology of social-democracy. This election was seen as the lowest the SD has ever reached. | 58 | 122 | 24.54% | 180, 198 |
| Niplomian Labour Party | Cadhla Buckley | The Niplomian Labour Party (Labour, Labour Party, New Socialists) are a new party consisting of 'new socialists' - modern socialists who want nationalisation but disregard the actions of Lenin and the USSR. Labour has quickly earned support from Social-Deocrats who dislike their party's shift to the centre and also from OCWP (see below) supporters who see their party as too old-fashioned. | 14 | 78 | 15.31% | 92, 38 |
| Official Communist Workers Party | Adam Seanán | An old-fashioned Leninist Communist party the Official Communist Workers Party (Communists) has a tinted and ruined reputation. The party stands for an authortarian regime to benefit the proletariat. Not only gaining bad publicity for its politics the party also is harrassed by the mdeia for having terrorist links. Currently the party only survives by supporting the Southern Seperatist Movement. | 34 | 29 | 5.94% | 63, 66 |
| Democratic Party of Niploma | Howard Dean | Democratic Party of Niploma (Democrats) is, along with Labour, a very new party. Standing for out and out capitalism alongside moderate social-liberalism the Democrats have fared well amongst Niploma's 'better of clas'. | 10 | 36 | 7.14% | 46 |
| Green Party of Niploma | Éibhear Elwes & Ruth Nolan | The Green Party of Niploma (Greens, Green Party) isa typical enviromentalist centre-left party. The Greens support Niploma adhering to international law on emissions aswell as 'grassroots enviromentalism' such as day to day recycling. The Greens fare well with young people and have since become a 'feel good party' - a term which has caused it to be disregarded by the larger parties. Even so by percentage the Greens are the fourth largest party. | 0 | 37 | 7.52% | 37, n/a |
| Liberal-Gaelic Alliance | Terry O'Dowd | the Liberal-Gaelic Alliance is an official coalition between the ancient Liberal Party and the new populist Gaelic Party. The two parties work together to further the cause of personal freedom, personal capital gain, community and gaelic rights. | 0 | 12 | 2.38% | 12 |
| Niploma First | Éibhear Elwes & Ruth Nolan | Niploma First famously fell from grace at this election. The official coalition of right and far-right parties resulted in the far-right winning internally. This caused the coalition to lose all respect with voters. The party has famously used olive - the colour of Niploma - for all the wrong reasons. | 1 | 10 | 1.92% | 11, 51 |
| Christian Democratic Party of Niploma | Reverend Curran | The Christian Democratic Party is a strong right-wing party that follows christian-democracy or conservative views. It fares well in northern cities such as Rhorn where Christians are higher in number. | 0 | 2 | 0.32% | 2, n/a |
Due to being mixed meber seating the popular vote the party recieves may not reflect where it is placed in rankings.
After the election the Libertarian Reform Party joined in Coalition with Niplomian Labour Party, Democratic Party of Niploma and Christian Democratic Party. This Coalition was designed to from not just an absolute majority but also to reach out to workers, capitalists, liberals and moral conservatives alike but also alowing the Libertarian Reform party to have a huge control over the Coalition.
Niplomian Senate Senators
At the 9th Niplomian Senate Election the electorate voted so forth for the 300 (320) seat Niplomian Peoples Senate:
- Libertarian Reform Party 142 Senators
- Social-Democratic Party 115 Senators
- Official Communist Workers Party 24 Senators
- Democratic Party 14 Senators
- Niplomian Labour Party 4 Senaors
- Green Party 1 Senator
An extra twenty seats are reserved for observers. These include religious leaders and ex-members of Government. Although they can discuss they cannot vote.
Failegn City Council
Failegn, Niploma's capital, has an influential council and mayoral system of its own. Failegn City Council wields more power than any current council.
Communication
Telecom
Currently, there is one Telecom company, 'TalkNiploma' a state run telephone company. LRP, GCP, INF and some SIP political party members are calling for telecoms business to be opened to private business. This is unlikely to go ahead.
General Media
Radio
There are several Radio stations in Niploma. The Government has a 'locked' awareness station named, 'Niploma 1'. It is a News Channel and is rarely used for special announcements. All other stations are privately owned. 'Abhachd', a Gaelic sport channel is well known aswell as, 'NMusic', a popular choice among the younger population of Niploma.
Television
In a recent poll it suggested that 85% of Niplomians own a television. Due to the high amount of viewers there is a high demand for good results on television. The publics tax money does not go to waste on television as there are four government owned channels. The Government owns a Television business called 'Niploma Television' which is normally called NT for short. NT1 is, like Niploma 1, a news channel. It claims to not be biast to any party, but critics claim it is SIP-leaning. NT2 and NT3 are general entertainment channels whilst NT4 is reserved for sport. Television is open to private business and there are several other privately owned channels (including a specialist Gaelic only channel) and some Niplomians watch international Television.
Written Media
Most adult males in Niploma read daily newspapers and ever rising numbers of women read newspapers. Unlike other branches of media, no newspaper or magazine is owned by the state. Recent surveys suggest there are four large daily newspapers in Niploma. By far the largest read is the broadsheet, 'Niploma News'. Niploma News is heavily associated with Niploma and has a centirst view in politics. However, critics claim it supports SIP. Secondly there is a well known tabloid, 'Niploma Today'. Niploma Today has become infamous for its catchy yet crude headlines that have never failed to amuse. It is barely political and mostly concentrates on sport and celebrity news. 'The Worker' is a Socialist paper that was used to be supported by the Official Communist Workers Party. Finally there is a Gaelic only newspaper, 'Fathunn', which simply translates as, 'News'. It concentrates on all Gaelic news from Gaelic communities and also has an informative section on what's on in Gaelic communtities. It's Editor is a well known Pagan. Around 38% of Niplomians read a newspaper every day, a high number.
