Information: Arnland
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Arnland’s communication infrastructure and landscape is no different than most European nations. Citizens and visitors alike partake in a society that allows them the freedom to listen, watch, read and socially engage in a modern digital world. The only barrier to full participation is creativity and knowledge.
The setting of today’s Arnland can be traced back the overthrow of the communist regime and establishment of a democratic multi‐party system. Those behind the violent overthrow were bright, young, ambitious, and determined to lead the nation on a journey of change and hope. The early years of transformation were positive. A new constitution was drafted and unanimously passed that among other things guarantees freedom of the press and the public’s right to information access. A spirit of cooperation existed among all elected officials. It was a refreshing business‐like attitude within the country's governing body, the National Assembly (NA; Alltinget). When necessary elected members would put aside party politics to collectively focus on delivering an open, honest, and transparent government to the people.
Several all‐party committees were created under the authority and neutrality of the Speaker’s Office. The National Assembly Communication Committee is one example. Its charter is to provide oversight of government communications and advertising – specifically to ensure that government messaging was free of partisan language and intent.
Communication Offices and Branches were another example of the new government’s openness. Most of these communication bureaus exist to serve the government ministries, Officers of the NA, the Offices of the President, Prime Minister, and Speaker. In theory these bureaus and their staff are non‐partisan but today that is not always the case.
Political parties and politicians are actively communicating their messages to selected audiences. Generally speaking, they employ staff and volunteers to advise, support, counter and manipulate scenarios utilizing all forms of media depending upon their experience, understanding and contacts with the news industry.
Satellite Telecommunications
Arnland relies on third party satellite services, leasing commercial Ku-band transponders from larger, more developed countries. This capability may also be used to support government and military operations. Arnland is serviced by three satellites:
- One Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
- One Eutelsat
- One Inmarsat (Atlantic & Indian Ocean regions). The Inmarsat earth station is shared with Denmark, Otso, Iceland, and Norway.
Arnland does not have its own navigation satellites and utilizes third-party navigation satellites primarily to support government and military operations, but also uses off the shelf commercial GPS receivers for navigation support.
Public Communications Media
Large media properties are dominated by three entities:
- The Halland Media Group
- The Krono Group
- Bolmen Incorporated
There are also a number of independently owned radio stations within the country with operating licenses based upon political connections. Arnland’s media is widely accessible and generally reflects the beliefs and values of the nation. Based upon undocumented community standards the news media adheres to its own unwritten self‐censorship. Print products are available in digital and traditional print formats. Television is digital but radio, like the rest of the world is in a transitional phase that will take several years to implement. All commercial FM radio stations broadcast in analog with some also broadcasting parallel digital signals. Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+) is green technology that offers many benefits. Broadcasters can save upwards of 90% of their distribution costs while having five times more channels because of efficient use of spectrum. From a listeners’ perspective, consumers enjoy better sound, more choice of stations and new features like text information and other multi‐media content.
Internet
Arnland is well connected to the worldwide internet backbone with a capacity up to 10 Gbit/s. Arnland claims that over 50% of its population can access the internet. In addition, mobile phone access is increasing, providing internet service for the younger generation and rural users. The Internet also plays an integral role in the country’s political and economic development. Social media, generally free from government intrusion, is growing in popularity. Internet is available at no cost in the airport and other government facilities, such as the library and community center in populace centers. The Internet in Arnland exists in a zone relatively free from state interference or censorship, though evidence indicates there is some limited state filtering and direct monitoring of political content. Despite this relative Internet freedom, mockery of the government by Arnland users may result in arrest and detention. The government likely takes a view that as long as Internet activity does not threaten Arnland’s interests, it is allowed.
Television
Most of the population in Arnland receives their television through a rented digital decoder box. The box is available through the country’s only cable company, Phox TV. Viewers can access more than thirty channels including the country’s four main broadcasters and other regional stations.
Arnland Television Stations
Station | Format | CEO | Media Group |
4 | 24-hour minority interest programs | Independent Media | |
Al Jazeera (English) | 24‐hour news and current affairs | Al Jazeera | |
APBS | Current affairs | PBS Arnland | |
Arnland TV4 | 24-hour news and general entertainment channel | Olaf Moberg | Krono Group |
Arte Francais | Culture | Monde Group | |
ATV One | 24-hour news and general entertainment channel | Morton Lindskog | Bolmen Incorporated |
ATV Two | 24-hour sports and news channel | Raimo Palm | Bolmen Incorporated |
BBC World | 24-hour news | PBS UK | |
Bloomberg TV Europe | News | Bloomberg Group | |
CNBC Europe | Euro News | NBC USA | |
CNN | 24-hour news | Time Warner | |
DAN TV 1 HD | 24-hour news and general entertainment channel | PBS Denmark | |
DAN TV 2 HD | 24-hour news and general entertainment channel | PBS Denmark | |
DAN Independent TV3 HD | 24-hour news and general entertainment channel | DANSAT Media Corp | |
Discovery | 24 | Discovery Communications | |
Eurosport | 24-hour sport | TF1 Group | |
Fox | 24-hour US entertainment channel | News Corporation | |
France 24 | French language news and current affairs | Monde Group | |
Holiday | Holiday sales | QVC | |
GOD TV Europe | Religious affairs | Angel Charities Global | |
Independent TV3 A | 24‐hour news and general entertainment channel | Eric Nordlander | Halland Group |
Kerrang | Music | Bauer Media Group | |
Kiss | Music | Channel 5 UK | |
MTV | 24-hour music, video | US Cable TV | |
Pay TV | Sport, entertainment, and specialty channels | DANSAT Media Corp | |
QVC | 24-hour shopping | QVC | |
Sky News | 24-hour news-Europe | Sky | |
TCM | 24-hour film channel | Turner Media Corp | |
Torrike Channel 8 | 24-hour news and general entertainment – Language Torrikan | Siv Lundstrom | |
Sporty Skolkan | 24-hour sports and news – Language Torrikan | ||
Torrike Channel 12 | 24-hour news and general entertainment – Language Torrikan and English | ||
The Box TV Music | 24-hour music | Channel 4 UK | |
Viasat Football | 24-hour sport | Modern Times Group | |
Viasat Film | 24-hour films | Modern Times Group | |
Weather Film | 24-hour weather | The Weather Channel ‐ NBC |
Radio
Arnland has seven radio stations that can be heard anywhere across the nation.
National Radio Stations in Arnland
MHz | Station | Format | CEO | Media Group |
96.8 | Radio 1 | Modern | Ragvald Melin | Bolmen Incorporated |
97.2 | Radio 2 | Classical/Blues/Jazz | Rene Fager | |
98.7 | Radio 3 | Current affairs | Saloman Molander | |
99.5 | Independent FM | Modern | Tengil Frykman | Halland Group |
94.2 | Arnland FM | Modern | Maila Hedsom | Krono Group |
95 | Arnland News | Current affairs | Raimon Hurtig | Krono Group |
95.8 | Skolkan FM | Modern/News | Ulf Huss |
There are small independent radio broadcasters operating in the country. The formats vary but music and local news are key factors to winning favor with the local audiences.
Small Independent Radio Stations in Arnland
MHz | Station | Format | CEO | Media Group |
88.7 | Alsstad Radio | General Service | Palle Kindell | |
90.5 | Halland Independent | General Service | Olagus Helle | Halland Group |
92.4 | Jönköping Radio | General Service | Igor Fagerstorm | |
93.8 | Kalmar Radio | General Service | Quintus Hammar | |
93.2 | North Kalmar Independent Radio | General Service | Pedro Isberg | |
95.2 | Blekinge Radio | General Service | Janie Freberg | Krono Group |
96.8 | Kronoberg Radio | General Service | Odd Magnus | Krono Group |
97.8 | Skåne Independent | General Service | Maila Melander | Halland Group |
Print Media
There are three daily newspapers available nationally in Arnland. The main office of each publication is in Alsstad but all maintain access to or own a satellite printing operations. Newspapers are offshoots of political parties and editorial policies are biased towards political parties and leanings. Otherwise news coverage by Arnland’s major dailies is generally balanced.
Arnland Daily Papers
Newspaper | Language | Format | Founded | Av Daily Circulation | Media Group |
Arnish Independent | Arnish | General daily broadsheet | 1953 | 75,667 | Halland Group |
Arnland Daily Star | Arnish | General daily broadsheet | 1951 | 64,484 | Krono Group |
Arnish Times | Arnish | Daily tabloid | 1992 | 62,561 | Bolmen |
Telephone
Arnland Telephone Network (ATN) is a subsidiary of the government and is the largest telephone company providing services and infrastructure across the country. Landline telephone service is still available but has seen a steady decrease in customers who have embraced feature and smart phone devices for voice calling and texting. Under the government’s authority, ATN is also the country’s main digital internet provider. It manages 80% of the available spectrum under the corporate name of ARNET. The remaining 20% has been allocated to nine independent internet service providers via a bid process. ATN enjoys a monopoly until the end of 2022. Submarine cables provide links to other countries and mainland Europe.
Postal/Courier
Arnland’s postal and courier systems are generally well-established, reliable, and capable of moving significant amounts of freight throughout the nation. There are two types of postal facilities: standard post offices and the larger distribution centers. Distribution centers offer a wider range of services for businesses than standard post offices do. Along with the national postal system, international freight providers and local freight forwarders are well established throughout the nation.
Word of Mouth
Arnland maintains a distinct rural/urban, youth/age divide with respect to communications. Arnland’s urban dwellers and youths will typically communicate via mobile phone technology as opposed to their older and rural countrymen, who prefer traditional face-to-face conversation.
Information Control
While the government of Arnland does not directly control information flow, the state-connected elite creates boundaries of “soft censorship,” where free speech includes everything except discussion of the government. Arlandians currently push back against this limited censorship, especially with the new social media, in attempts to avoid direct governmental interference with their freedom of speech. It is likely that the government allows this limited degree of freedom of speech as the leaders know those with computer access are unlikely to violently rebel.
The Ministry of Public Works, Transportation, Telecommunications and Information Technology is the government’s interface with the people, specifically the greater Communication Industry. Given the diversity of the Ministry it is often referred to as a ‘super ministry’ and its portfolios are referred to separately. The ministry is known for having knowledgeable junior and mid‐level staff but like many government ministries and departments key positions are held by individuals who know more about business than about being a career civil servant. Under the authority and guidance of the Minister’s Office, the ministry is the government’s point of contact for all communication and telecommunication matters and issues both domestically and internationally. The National Commission on Media Affairs has oversight over the domestic radio and television industries as well as digital media. The Commission’s mandate is to approve and issue broadcast and telecom network licenses, spectrum dissemination and management, enforce regulations, develop policy and advise the government. Like any government body the Commission has the authority to hold hearings anywhere in the country to deal with national, regional and local issues of concern.
Agencies
The Ministry of Public Works, Transportation, Telecommunications and Information Technology is the government’s interface with the people, specifically the greater Communication Industry.
Given the diversity of the Ministry it is often referred to as a ‘super ministry’ and its portfolios are referred to separately. The ministry is known for having knowledgeable junior and mid‐level staff but like many government ministries and departments key positions are held by individuals who know more about business than about being a career civil servant.
Under the authority and guidance of the Minister’s Office, the ministry is the government’s point of contact for all communication and telecommunication matters and issues both domestically and internationally.
The National Commission on Media Affairs has oversight over the domestic radio and television industries as well as digital media. The Commission’s mandate is to approve and issue broadcast and telecom network licenses, spectrum dissemination and management, enforce regulations, develop policy and advise the government.
Like any government body the Commission has the authority to hold hearings anywhere in the country to deal with national, regional and local issues of concern.
INFOWAR
INFOWAR in the region contains a mixture of old and new technology. While older Donovian equipment forms the backbone for much of the region’s INFOWAR warfighting capability, the countries conduct advanced operations with dedicated INFOWAR units. Internet operations are frequently used as an adjunct to major combat operations. Most countries in the region focus their INFOWAR on their likely adversaries.
Electronic Warfare
Arnland operates outdated equipment, such as counter-battery and battlefield surveillance radars. Also, Arnland jammers are likely relics obtained more than 20 years ago. The possibility exists, however, that Arnland’s relations with European countries could result in newer critical equipment procurement in the future.
Computer Attack
Arnland currently has a limited cyber-attack capability and is researching and training personnel to develop a more robust capability due to the increasing threat from countries in the region and worldwide. The use of third-party hackers from inside and outside of the country is an option that could be utilized if they feel their national security is at risk. Additionally, Framland is looking to develop a more modern network defense capability to better identify and deter threats to their national security.
Information Attack
Arnland maintains a limited information attack (IA) capability with the basic skill to deface websites or engage in basic tactics like distributed denial of service attacks or basic forensics. As their cyber warfare capabilities advance Arnland’s IA capability is likely to also advance. Arnland currently could use their limited capabilities to initially deter a larger more sophisticated countries in the region, but will rely on support from their stronger allies for longer lasting effects.
Deception
Deception tactics used by Arnland consist of both electronic and physical capabilities, including decoys and camouflage. Arnland will use these capabilities to deceive and frustrate the ability of an opponent to locate and determine the composition of Arnlandian units. By using such tactics Arnlandian forces gain time and space to reposition and prepare better defensive positions against an opposing force.
Physical Destruction
Since other regional countries presents an overmatch in physical destruction capability, Arnland’s military is apt to only attack sensors in the most critical situations in self-defense. Arnland likely possesses few capabilities to conduct deep strikes against INFOWAR targets.
Protection and Security Measures
Arnland currently has a small Protection and Security Measures (PSM) capability in place for its governmental electronic systems. Arnland is working with other countries to help secure its government and economic electronic systems. Arnland is also training employees, military and government workers, on better practices to secure classified information within facilitates and across all media domains, internally and externally.
Perception Management
Arnland’s perception management is a robust and integral part of their INFOWAR program. Its objective is to portray the government as a powerful and peace-loving member of the international community by using different initiatives in the diplomatic, economic and information realms. Arnland uses its limited cyber capabilities to create false or coercive messages in order to facilitate the perceptions of its population or target groups in other countries.
Intelligence
The Arnland Intelligence and Security Service (AISS) was established just after the major political changes in 1992 and now is a state agency on budget support. It holds a key position within the system of national security of Arnland, responsible for both internal and external intelligence gathering, counterintelligence, and protection of the constitutional order.
Although part of the executive branch, the AISS officially informs the President, the Prime Minister, and the National Assembly on an equal basis, in compliance with the order and conditions defined by the Council of Ministers. Ministries, members of the NA, and selected state servants are also among the consumers of the information and services provided by the AISS.
Through co‐operation with the other national security and intelligence structures, the AISS is tasked to ensure the national security and sovereignty of the Republic of Arnland by providing the state’s authorities with intelligence and security-related information. One of the priorities is the fight against terrorism, corruption, and organized crime, in close collaboration with foreign intelligence services. It stores the collected information and processed intelligence in information and archive records. The AISS is also in charge of the cryptographic security of classified information and control of the radio-frequency spectrum.
The AISS director is a member of the Security Council (SC) to the Government of Arnland and the Presidential Advisory Council for National Security. The SC, which advises the President, is chaired by the Prime Minister and comprises as a minimum the Ministers of Interior, Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Public Order. The SC normally meets monthly; more frequently should the situation dictate.
The AISS consists of the following:
- Liaison and Coordination Division: Consists of four branches: Intelligence and security cooperation with the European Union countries; intelligence and security cooperation with GBCC countries; inter-services cooperation and coordination; and internal control and coordination. This division is responsible for synchronizing internal operations and coordinating support to and from external agencies.
- Intelligence Department: Consists of three major divisions: collection, analysis, and plans. This department is responsible for prioritizing intelligence collection activities and providing the analysis and planning support for operations within the organization.
- Security Department: The main instrument for counterintelligence and security. As such, its chief responsibility is to detect, prevent, and neutralize threats to Arnish national security. It consists of the following divisions: Counterintelligence (counterespionage, internal and external surveillance, detection, counteraction and prevention); Constitutional Order and Security; Critical Infrastructure; and Classified Information.
- Counter‐Terrorism Department: Responsible for asymmetric threats; antiterrorism; intervention unit; and VIP protection.
- Financial Intelligence: Responsible for economic and financial security; anti‐corruption; and transnational issues.
- Government Communications Department: Consists of three divisions: Communication and Information Systems; Cryptographic Security; and Control of the Radio-frequency Spectrum.
- Training Center: Responsible for initial and specialist training.
Human Intelligence
The Human Intelligence (HUMINT) program is considered Arnland’s most important discipline, and is well established and trained. The program focuses on internal security and external threats from regional nations. Arnland’s external activities attempt to acquire technological and military secrets from abroad. These operations are normally carried out by travelers, businessmen, and academics, with a special emphasis on the overseas Arlandian students and high-tech professionals working abroad. The focus for internal security is on opposition groups who see the government as not supporting the needs and wants of the populace. Arnland’s counterintelligence service will most likely focus on threats from external agencies seeking to acquire information on government and military forces, as well as major industrial companies, to gain an advantage over Arnland.
Open Source Intelligence
Arnlandian intelligence analysts utilize its internet infrastructure to conduct Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) operations. Analysts utilize the power of the internet to obtain key information on other nations from multiple sources to exploit vulnerabilities and advancements of militaries and industrial concerns. They conduct research to support strategic objectives by reviewing reporting from multiple media agencies to determine intentions, significant new advancements and political agendas of nations that may pose a threat to Arnland.
Signals Intelligence
Arnland does not have a signals intelligence (SIGINT) capability and relies on third party countries for any such information.
Imagery Intelligence
Arnland does have an organic imagery capability and must rely on commercially purchased imagery from other countries.
Measurement and Signatures Intelligence
Arnland does not have a measurement and signatures intelligence (MASINT) capability and relies on third party countries for any such information.
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