The Morning Ledger is a weekly infotainment and discussion program broadcast on Tele-Radio Kresimiria (TRK). Hosted by the former Civic Renewal Front (CRF) Senator Topi Topolski and the retired agricultural businessman Goran Jurić, the program focuses on economic news, agricultural logistics, and light political commentary.
The show is one of the most popular podcasts on the KresiX “State Repository” streaming platform. It is widely regarded as a key element of the Council for Education’s soft-power strategy, designed to present a harmonious, debate-driven, yet ultimately pro-establishment dialogue between the “Urban Liberal” (Topolski) and the “Rural Conservative” (Jurić).
Format and Style
The program airs every Saturday morning on TRK Radio and is uploaded simultaneously to TRK Digital. The format is structured as an informal conversation, typically recorded at the TRK regional studios in Ravna Skrad (District VII), the home district of both hosts.
The dynamic relies on the contrasting personas of the hosts:
- Topi Topolski: The former corporate lawyer and Senator represents the “Sinj-aligned” technocratic perspective. He focuses on legal analysis, the judiciary, and international trade with Kruhlstutt.
- Goran Jurić: A wealthy retired grain merchant, Jurić represents the “common sense” of the agricultural heartland. He focuses on commodity prices, the National Grain Trust (NGT), and frequently acts as a skeptical foil to Topolski’s “big city” ideas.
Despite their differing backgrounds, the debate is strictly moderated within the bounds of “Civil Discourse” mandated by the Media Licensing Authority. While they frequently criticize bureaucratic inefficiencies or the excesses of Maj Holdings, they rarely challenge the fundamental legitimacy of the Divine Chancellor or the state religion.
History
Foundation (2014)
The show was conceptualized in late 2013 by TRK executives seeking to fill the void left by the cancellation of several dry economic report programs. Following Topolski’s defeat in the 2012 election by Chwa Spas, the former Senator was looking for a platform to maintain his public profile. He partnered with Jurić, a prominent donor to moderate causes in Ravna Skrad.
The “Digital” Transition
Following the passage of the Digital Vigilance Act, The Morning Ledger became a flagship product for the new domestic internet ecosystem. It was one of the first programs to be heavily promoted on the YakaSys “National Wallet” app as recommended listening for small business owners.
Reception
The program is highly rated among the middle class in Sinj and the merchant class of Ravna Skrad. It is viewed as a reliable source of economic rumors, often predicting shifts in STP Credit interest rates before they are officially announced.
However, it faces criticism from the political fringes:
- Northern Power: The regionalist media group Northfocus frequently satirizes the show as “two wealthy men agreeing that everything is fine.” They criticize Jurić for claiming to represent rural workers while having sold his logistics empire to the state.
- Sons of Kresimir: Hardline religious groups have occasionally picketed the studio, accusing Topolski of promoting secularism under the guise of economic theory.