The Kresimirian Herald (Kresi: Kresimirski Glasnik) is the oldest and most widely circulated daily newspaper in the Divine Republic of Kresimiria. Based in the capital, Sinj, it is considered the nation’s “paper of record.”
While nominally an independent publication managed by the Kresimirian Press Trust, its ownership structure falls under the oversight of the Council for Education. As such, the Herald is historically associated with the political establishment and the Blue Dawn party. Despite this alignment, the paper maintains a reputation for high-quality journalism, rigorous fact-checking, and a willingness to investigate individual corruption within the government.
The Herald’s main competitor is the liberal, pro-reform Civic Post, based in Ravna Skard. There is also the northern regionalist Northfocus which challenges the Herald on regionalist news, and the Early Bird Chronicle serves as its cultural foil. The Chronicle frequently mocks the Herald’s pro-government bias, while Herald editorials dismiss the satire paper as “frivolous fiction.” Despite this public animosity, many Herald journalists are rumored to anonymously leak stories to the Chronicle that they are forbidden from printing themselves.
History
Origins: Sinj News (1922–1934)
The paper began publishing in 1922 as the print division of Sinj News (Sinjske Novine), the same entity that launched the nation’s first radio service. Founded by the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP) shortly after the Unification War, its original purpose was to disseminate official decrees from the Assembly and essays by Divine Founder Filip Novak.
The Sinj Herald (1934–2004)
In 1934, following the nationalization of radio assets into Radio Kresimiria (later TRK), the print division was spun off into a separate entity named The Sinj Herald.
For seventy years, the paper focused primarily on the politics and society of the capital district. It became the voice of the urban elite, the civil service, and the financial sector. During the mid-20th century, it was a staunch supporter of the centralist policies of Chancellor Kresimir Kresimirovic II, often publishing editorials attacking the “lawlessness” of the southern districts.
However, the paper also developed an investigative streak. In 1990, investigative reporters from the Sinj Herald broke the story of the Vijrje Restoration Scandal. By exposing the embezzlement of Senator Mlada Wrba (a member of the governing Blue Dawn party), the paper demonstrated its willingness to hold the establishment accountable, earning it significant trust among the public.
National Expansion (2004–Present)
In 2004, seeking to counter the growing influence of regionalist newsletters in the north and the CRF’s pamphlets in the cities, the paper underwent a massive rebranding. Under the direction of the Kresimirian Press Trust, it expanded its distribution network to all ten districts, utilizing Republic Rail for overnight delivery.
Renamed the Kresimirian Herald, it positioned itself as the first true national daily. Today, it is the only newspaper available in print in every major city from Bistrica to Brod Moravice.
Editorial Stance
The Herald is generally viewed as center-left and statist.
- Support for Blue Dawn: The paper’s editorial board consistently endorses Blue Dawn candidates during elections, viewing them as the stewards of stability. It has been particularly supportive of Ari Stov’s modernization agenda and the KresiX initiative.
- Opposition to Regionalism: The paper is frequently critical of Northern Power and Vjetrusa, often characterizing regional autonomy movements as threats to national unity.
- Skepticism of the Left: While it respects the institutional role of the Civic Renewal Front (CRF), the Herald often frames their social policies as “radical” or “destabilizing.”
Despite this bias, the Herald prides itself on “The Sinj Standard”—a code of ethics that mandates factual accuracy in news reporting. Unlike tabloids, it rarely publishes rumors without verification. This has led to an odd dynamic where opposition politicians like Syv Iric frequently criticize the paper’s editorials while simultaneously citing its investigative reports in the Assembly.
Coverage
- The Capital View: The daily editorial column, traditionally written by the Editor-in-Chief. It is considered required reading for foreign diplomats and civil servants to understand the thinking of the Chancellory.
- Industry & Iron: A highly regarded business section that covers the Maj Holdings vs. State Enterprise rivalry. It is considered the most reliable source of economic data in the Republic.
- The Divine Word: A daily religious column featuring interpretations of the Books of Kresimir, usually written by moderate theologians from Sinj University rather than the hardliners from Karlovac.
Competition
For most of the 20th century, the Herald enjoyed an unchallenged position as the sole national daily. However, since the early 2000s, it has faced fierce competition from Northfocus (formerly Northwire), a multimedia organization based in Bistrica. The rivalry is deeply political; while the Herald represents the centralist viewpoint of Sinj and the Blue Dawn establishment, Northfocus serves as the voice of the northern regionalist movement. The two publications frequently trade barbs in their editorial columns, with the Herald often dismissing its northern rival as “provincial agitation” while simultaneously struggling to match Northfocus’s digital reach among younger demographics in Districts IV, VI, and VIII.
Relation to TRK
Although legally distinct since 1934, the Herald and Tele-Radio Kresimiria (TRK) share a close relationship. They are both overseen by the Council for Education and often coordinate their coverage of major state events. The Herald’s headquarters, Herald House, is located just down the street from TRK’s offices on Zvonomir Avenue in Sinj.