Hey everyone, so before I begin, I thought I'd introduce myself and who I am. By no means is the point of this to brag. In fact, it's in response to allegations from other players accusing our current Player Journalists favoring certain groups over others. I'm Maccus, and I'm one of the three players who helped found the East India Company, alongside LiquidCatnip and ECCO. You've probably heard my voice on Radio Sidewinder, or heard one of my several interviews on the unofficial GNN on youtube. Now, I'm not a common sight in game, and my presence is mostly in the Role Play, Lore, and Metagame of the company and it's interactions within the Lore, Metagame, and Role Play of the Elite: Dangerous universe. My job, is to find reasonable Role Play justifications for our actions in game. My job is to also give interviews, feed stories to the press, and generate content that gets us exposure both in and out of game. Both positive and negative.
It hasn't all been my doing either. Some stories of ours have had no input of my own put into them. I'm by no means the puppet master in charge of the strings. I'm part of a well oiled machine, that makes up the East India Company, and it's ability to generate both controversy, and worth while play in game. We get a lot of hatred, and our own polls prove that we have roughly a 38% approval rating with the Elite Dangerous community at large. We're labeled "the villains," by many players mostly who identify as Feds, and it's largely because we're not afraid to take risks and be vocal about our actions. We get exposure, because we approach the journalists who run the unofficial GNN on youtube, the creators of Radio Sidewinder, and many others. These outlets are always looking for news, especially player generated news, and if you have a well written story, or well organized event they will be more than happy to cover it.
So I was upset the other day, when I found out that Cmdr. Arbitration, the man behind allot of stories on Radio Sidewinder, had been labeled a false journalist and an agent of propaganda for the EIC. He voiced to me that if people wanted more diverse programming, all they had to do was come to him with stories, events, and content, and he would be happy to give exposure to them. At no point did we pay off, or pocket commanders like him as our own. In fact, I nor any EIC member, have any issue with news from other organizations or player groups. We believe in free press. We don't oppose any story they run, be it good or bad.
As much as I care about the EIC, I care even more so for the health and stability of the community and it's journalists. In no way should these commanders be punished for stories or content that they run. We need to respect their right to free press within this game. Don't meet these men and women with violence. Instead, schedule an interview with them. Speak up to defend yourselves. Don't be afraid to talk. It shows more courage than simply shooting them out of the sky for something they said.
All you have to do is reach out and talk to these Journalists. Look them up here on the forums, or their websites, and get in touch with them if you have a story to tell. Just don't take offense at their decisions in terms of exposure or editing. These guys can be a great tool for player groups getting their start as well, as they can get the message out for a group of unknowns taking a stand in some corner of the galaxy. If you don't care for their coverage, start your own news team, or radio station. I'll be happy to work with you if you choose to start such a project.
As much as it is my job to handle the press, I feel it is my duty to defend them against attacks on their character. The EIC does not own these people, and all you have to do is reach out and talk to them. They're friendly folks, and always enthusiastic about a good story. Do not be afraid. Anyone reading this, can contact me at any time, be they player or journalist alike. Ask for a quote on a story, a comment, appear on a pod cast, or simply ask for guidance on how to get in touch with these fabulous journalists. I am happy to. I will always protect the EIC's interests, but I also care about those that were in the same place as ECCO, LiquidCatnip, and myself back in January. Scratching our heads and wondering how do we get ourselves noticed. I'm happy to lend a hand, to anyone, no matter who they are or who they work for.
I hope this was insightful for some, and encouraging to others. I'll see you all out there in the ink!
It hasn't all been my doing either. Some stories of ours have had no input of my own put into them. I'm by no means the puppet master in charge of the strings. I'm part of a well oiled machine, that makes up the East India Company, and it's ability to generate both controversy, and worth while play in game. We get a lot of hatred, and our own polls prove that we have roughly a 38% approval rating with the Elite Dangerous community at large. We're labeled "the villains," by many players mostly who identify as Feds, and it's largely because we're not afraid to take risks and be vocal about our actions. We get exposure, because we approach the journalists who run the unofficial GNN on youtube, the creators of Radio Sidewinder, and many others. These outlets are always looking for news, especially player generated news, and if you have a well written story, or well organized event they will be more than happy to cover it.
So I was upset the other day, when I found out that Cmdr. Arbitration, the man behind allot of stories on Radio Sidewinder, had been labeled a false journalist and an agent of propaganda for the EIC. He voiced to me that if people wanted more diverse programming, all they had to do was come to him with stories, events, and content, and he would be happy to give exposure to them. At no point did we pay off, or pocket commanders like him as our own. In fact, I nor any EIC member, have any issue with news from other organizations or player groups. We believe in free press. We don't oppose any story they run, be it good or bad.
As much as I care about the EIC, I care even more so for the health and stability of the community and it's journalists. In no way should these commanders be punished for stories or content that they run. We need to respect their right to free press within this game. Don't meet these men and women with violence. Instead, schedule an interview with them. Speak up to defend yourselves. Don't be afraid to talk. It shows more courage than simply shooting them out of the sky for something they said.
All you have to do is reach out and talk to these Journalists. Look them up here on the forums, or their websites, and get in touch with them if you have a story to tell. Just don't take offense at their decisions in terms of exposure or editing. These guys can be a great tool for player groups getting their start as well, as they can get the message out for a group of unknowns taking a stand in some corner of the galaxy. If you don't care for their coverage, start your own news team, or radio station. I'll be happy to work with you if you choose to start such a project.
As much as it is my job to handle the press, I feel it is my duty to defend them against attacks on their character. The EIC does not own these people, and all you have to do is reach out and talk to them. They're friendly folks, and always enthusiastic about a good story. Do not be afraid. Anyone reading this, can contact me at any time, be they player or journalist alike. Ask for a quote on a story, a comment, appear on a pod cast, or simply ask for guidance on how to get in touch with these fabulous journalists. I am happy to. I will always protect the EIC's interests, but I also care about those that were in the same place as ECCO, LiquidCatnip, and myself back in January. Scratching our heads and wondering how do we get ourselves noticed. I'm happy to lend a hand, to anyone, no matter who they are or who they work for.
I hope this was insightful for some, and encouraging to others. I'll see you all out there in the ink!
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