Information: Pirtuni

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The information environment in Pirtuni is positive. It has constitutionally-based and judicially-upheld freedom of expression. This has allowed the Pirtunian media industry to flourish throughout the country. Citizens are able to freely protest against the government. Pirtuni’s INFOWAR capabilities rival those of Donovia, its biggest perceived threat, and the country benefits from its relationships with Western nations in both equipment acquisition and training.

Satellite Telecommunications

Pirtuni possesses a wide range of satellite capabilities. Concerns over Donovia’s capabilities drive Pirtuni’s satellite policies and funding considerations. Most of the country’s satellites are dual-purposed to allow both military and commercial use. Pirtuni operates three commercial telecommunications satellites utilizing Ku-band transponders in a geostationary orbit. All satellites are powered by solar-array panels. These commercial satellites may be used to support military operations when necessary. Additionally, the military operates one communication satellite using Ku- and C-band transponders. The satellite is in a geostationary orbit and powered by a solar-array antenna. The government also leases Ku, L, and S bandwidth from commercial satellite companies that support government and military operations when necessary.

Navigation

Pirtuni operates three navigation satellite systems using L-band transponders. The combined systems create a network of navigation services and provide regional coverage of the surrounding areas. Its military units are also authorized to purchase off-the-shelf commercial GPS receivers for navigation support.

Public Communications Media

Pirtuni’s communications environment is uniquely free compared to others in the region. Television is the most important means of communication; however, the advent of the Internet and the popularity of social media make these means of communication increasingly influential. All media is subject to disproportionate influence by business and political interests. Judicial rulings and government actions have favored freedom of expression with limited intrusions and attempts to exercise control.

Internet

Internet penetration in Pirtuni continues to grow steadily, due in part to diminishing costs and increasing access, particularly to mobile Internet service providers (ISPs). Pirtuni had an Internet penetration rate of 43% last year, compared to 41% the previous year and just 18% seven years ago. International statistics for last year show that 73% of adults use the Internet at least occasionally. International tracking organizations also found that 53% of Pirtunian adults use the Internet on a daily basis. For fixed-line broadband subscriptions, the penetration rate was approximately 8.8% last year, while mobile broadband had a penetration rate of just over 5%. The average broadband connection speed in Pirtuni was 9.3 megabytes per second (Mbps) last year, compared to 7.3 Mbps in the previous year.

Among current internet users, 82% live in urban areas; 37% of these users live in larger cities. Internet penetration in rural areas is increasing with improvements to infrastructure and government investment in these areas. Most people access the Internet from home or work, though many middle- and higher-end cafés and restaurants also provide free Wi-Fi. Access is also common in public libraries and schools. Internet cafés, once popular places to access the Internet, are gradually losing popularity. Access to broadband Internet in Pirtuni is reasonably-priced for the average family.

Social media networks are gaining ground. Activists are increasingly using these Internet platforms for organizing and promoting ideas. Political parties and the government have also started using the Internet as another tool of political competition, engaging in both legitimate forms of communication, such as social media profiles and blogging, and manipulative techniques such as trolling. This method of manipulation uses paid commentators or “trolls” on news websites and on social networks, especially around election time when various political supporters engage in defamatory and offensive comments on issues of politics, nationality, language, etc. on media websites. Most political analysts, however, do not see this as an effective political strategy because users quickly recognize the trolls and do not take the comments seriously. Pirtunian politicians are increasingly realizing the value of social media, and many have started accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LiveJournal, and/or YouTube in the hopes of influencing voters.

Laws governing the Internet in Pirtuni continue to be general and untested by legal prosecutions. Government security agencies are concerned about the potential for social media to be used for subversive and terrorism purposes and are struggling to find ways to monitor the Internet for illegal activities. There is no current institutionalized blocking or filtering, nor a regulatory framework for censorship of content online, although indirect government attempts at creating legislation that could help censor or limit content are occurring. A number of parliamentary legislative initiatives aimed at controlling electronic media have emerged, including authority to conduct surveillance of Internet content in order to ‘‘protect national security’’ and limit other forms of ‘‘undesirable’’ content. These regulations have the potential for expanded formal and informal control and privacy intrusion. The Law on Protection of Public Morals, passed in November thirteen years ago, prohibits the production and circulation of pornography; dissemination of products that propagandize war or spread national and religious intolerance; humiliation or insult to an individual or nation on the grounds of nationality, ethnicity, or religion; and the propagation of illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and other government-discouraged vices. Due to funding constraints and political and social variables, enforcement is selective.

Television

The most popular source of news is television, with 642 stations in operation. Two years ago, officials continued a process of transforming Pirtuni’s state television and radio outlets into public-service broadcasters. A bill signed into law during the same year established a new public broadcasting corporation that is to be overseen by a supervisory board with strong civil society representation. Most media outlets in Pirtuni are privately-owned and exert influence in both the social and political environments. Media ownership has long been nontransparent in practice, although it is widely understood that most of the sector is controlled by a small number of wealthy people with political and business interests.

Radio

The radio broadcast market, a mix of independent and state-owned networks, is comprised of 524 stations. Radio is most popular in the rural areas where television reception is poorer. The National Television and Radio Broadcasting Agency obtained court orders two years ago to temporarily suspend the retransmission of certain Donovian radio stations in Pirtuni. The suspensions came after Donovian state-controlled news outlets carried aggressively propagandistic content designed to support the Donovian separatist groups in eastern Pirtuni. The issue of censorship continued to be a topic of debate the following year, and despite criticism of the suspensions by international media rights groups, the retransmission of several Donovian radio stations has remained barred.

Print Media

Two years ago, the president approved a law to facilitate the privatization of print media owned by central government authorities, which watchdogs praised as an important step toward increasing pluralism in the sector. Separate legislation signed last December initiated the formation of a state-run multiplatform news service to boost the country’s international media presence and image, and to provide prompt and responsive information about developments in Pirtuni.

Advertising revenue for print media has declined in recent years, leaving newspapers even more financially dependent on moneyed elites with particular political and business interests. Paid content disguised as news remains widespread and weakens the credibility of journalists, especially during elections. Difficult economic conditions in Pirtuni have placed the media sector, particularly small outlets, under financial strain in recent years.

Telephone

Pirtuni's telecommunications development plan emphasizes improving domestic trunk lines, international connections, and the mobile-cellular system. Two decades ago, the country possessed a telephone system that was antiquated, inefficient, and in disrepair. More than 3.5 million applications for telephones could not be satisfied. Telephone capacity has improved significantly over the past several years as government investment in telecommunications infrastructure is now a priority. About one-third of Pirtuni’s networks are digital, and a majority of regional centers now have digital switching stations. The mobile-cellular telephone system's expansion has slowed, largely due to saturation of the market, which has reached 125

mobile phones per 100 people. Pirtuni has two new domestic trunk lines that are part of the fiber-optic Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) system. Three Pirtunian links have also been installed in the fiber-optic Trans- European Lines (TEL) project that connects 18 countries.

The information and communication technologies (ICT) sector is regulated by the National Agency for Communications and Information (NACI), which was reformed from the previous National Committee on Communications (NCC) five years ago. Members of NACI are appointed by the President of Pirtuni. The lucrative nature of the ICT industry has driven a high degree of corruption within the government. Appointments to the Commission are often not transparent. The Law on Communications, passed thirteen years ago, does not guarantee the independence of the NACI. Instead, industry experts point to a number of inconsistencies between sector laws and the NACI’s decisions. For example, five years ago the Commission refused to prolong the operating license of a mobile provider with no explanation.

Postal/Courier

The Pirtunian Postal Service (PPS) is well-established and capable of moving mail and freight to all areas of the country. Demands from the business community spurred a decade-long investment in infrastructure to increase the efficiency and capabilities of the PPS. The organization has achieved internationally-accepted standards for mail service. Additionally, a number of private local and international package-delivery companies supplement and compete with the PPS.

Word of Mouth

Word-of-mouth communication is more important in rural areas and among older populations. The wide and convenient availability of other forms of communication, such as television, radio, and the Internet, has decreased the importance of word-of-mouth communication in general. Personal interactions have given way to e-mailing, texting, YouTube, Facebook, and other forms of social media.

Information Control

Citizens enjoy widespread and regionally-unique freedom of expression. There are no burdensome restrictions on journalists and a number of groups and associations, including the Pirtunian Journalist Union (PJU) and the Independent Media Union of Pirtuni (IMUP), are able to support the interests of journalists. There continue to be small attempts to censor and control the media, usually during the time leading up to elections; however, these seem to be attempts by groups to test the extent to which current laws and regulations can be pushed for self-serving interests. Judicial decisions generally support an environment that values freedom of expression.

INFOWAR

Pirtuni’s INFOWAR capabilities are a mixture of old and new technology. Older equipment forms the basis for much of Pirtuni’s INFOWAR warfighting capability; however, it has recently purchased more-modern equipment from Western countries. The Pirtunian military conducts advanced INFOWAR operations through an INFOWAR battalion that includes units dedicated to deception, computer warfare and information attack, perception management, electronic warfare, intelligence management, and Information protection and security.

Electronic Warfare

The Pirtunian military fields an electronic warfare (EW) company within its information warfare battalion. The country maintains an extensive EW capability. It is able to leverage relationships with Western countries to enhance its capabilities. Pirtuni’s EW is well-integrated into its force structure and is a key enabler for combat forces. Pirtuni maintains a wide variety of sensors and jammers on ground, air, and naval platforms. Relationships with Western countries give it access to EW training; however, there is still a limited number of trained operators for its EW capacity.

Computer Attack

The Pirtunian military fields a computer warfare/information attack company within its information warfare battalion. The military maintains the ability to conduct computer attack (CA) along a spectrum of abilities ranging from small, deniable probes to massive, overwhelming onslaught. Pirtuni will attempt to use other INFOWAR capability, such as deception and protection, to enable computer attack.

Information Attack

The Pirtunian military fields a computer warfare/information attack company within its information warfare battalion. Its military is expert at integrating this capability with other INFOWAR elements and will rely on information attack (IA) against enemies with technological overmatch. Pirtuni’s INFOWAR theory states that IA is the core of any attack, from the tactical to the strategic.

Deception

The Pirtunian military fields a deception company within its information warfare battalion. Pirtunian doctrine emphasizes battlefield deception. Its doctrine requires the use of decoys, tactical feints, and other techniques to prevent or delay the enemy’s main effort. Its international defense procurement and training emphasizes acquisition of the latest reconnaissance and deception techniques and tools to improve its deception operation capabilities.

Physical Destruction

Pirtunian deep-strike elements such as short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, strike aircraft, and special-purpose forces will aggressively target enemy INFOWAR assets and capabilities. Pirtunian doctrine stresses the eventual destruction of enemy INFOWAR assets after their neutralization by non-strike means.

Protection and Security Measures

The military fields an information protection and security platoon within its information warfare battalion. Protection and security measures (PSM) are a defined weakness of the military. Pirtuni views the application of integrated Western technology to its systems as a way to safeguard its information; however, Pirtunian doctrine has not been upgraded for over a decade.

Perception Management

The Pirtunian military fields a perception management company within its information warfare battalion; however, its ability to influence populations beyond its borders is limited. It will likely use perception management most aggressively on its own citizens, particularly separatist populations, as a way to generate support for government operations.

Intelligence

Pirtuni possesses a capable intelligence organization. It has a foreign intelligence service, the Pirtunian Foreign Information Service (PFIS); a domestic intelligence service, the Pirtunian National Defense Service (PNDS); and a military intelligence organization, the Pirtunian Military Information Service (PMIS). All three organizations are very involved in operations globally and are capable of collecting intelligence from a variety of sources. Much of that capability is focused on the surrounding region to combat terrorism, economic competition, and local influence competitors. Pirtuni’s Western relationships provide it with limited access to intelligence from these and other countries.

Human Intelligence

Pirtuni enjoys a robust human intelligence (HUMINT) capability. Its HUMINT services are aggressive and able to exploit many locally-influential political, economic, military, and social entities. Additionally, Pirtuni is able to leverage relationships with Western countries for the sharing of HUMINT.

Open Source Intelligence

Open source intelligence (OSINT) efforts generally focus on regional rivals, particularly Donovia. Pirtuni is also concerned with separatist movements within its borders.

Signals Intelligence

Pirtunian signals intelligence (SIGINT) assets include ground, aircraft, and satellite collection capability. The military’s SIGINT provides the early-warning and target-discrimination capability for hard-kill capable platforms. The country also maintains SIGINT collection stations in other parts of the world. Its relationships with Western countries gives Pirtuni limited access to SIGINT products from those countries.

Imagery Intelligence

Pirtunian imagery intelligence (IMINT) collection capability is comparable to other countries in the region with the exception of Donovia. The military maintains air-breathing manned and unmanned aerial vehicle platforms for tactical collection capability. It maintains one dedicated military imaging satellite with electro-optical (EO) capabilities and synthetic aperture radar. Pirtuni has access to multiple commercial imaging capabilities through lease agreements with foreign countries.

Measurement and Signatures Intelligence

Pirtuni has a capable national scientific intelligence apparatus. Measurement and signatures intelligence (MASINT) operations typically support all other intelligence collection efforts and can provide direct support to combat operations through space-based collectors such as infrared imagers.

Summary

Pirtuni is free from many of the information constraints operative in other countries in the region. While censorship and other forms of information control have occurred, they have seldom been upheld by the courts. Protests and other forms of dissent are allowed. Journalistic freedom has led to government restraint, greater transparency, and significant reforms.

Pirtuni’s greatest perceived threat is Donovia, due in part to Donovian agitation of separatist movements on their shared border. Due to the long-standing friction, Pirtuni has tried to maintain parity with Donovian INFOWAR capabilities. The country therefore leverages relationships with Western countries to acquire INFOWAR equipment and training to compete with Donovia.