Tele-Radio Kresimiria (Kresi: Tele-Radija Kresimiria), commonly known as TRK, is the national public broadcaster of the Divine Republic of Kresimiria. It holds a constitutionally protected monopoly on terrestrial television and radio broadcasting within the Republic.
Operated under the oversight of the Council for Education, TRK serves as the primary source of news, entertainment, and religious instruction for the Kresimirian public. Its history mirrors the centralization of the Kresimirian state, evolving from a local news service into a comprehensive media network that plays a crucial role in maintaining national unity and propagating the values of Kresimirianism.
History
Origins: Sinj News and Radio Sinj (1922–1933)
The roots of the broadcaster lie in Sinj News (Sinjske Novine), a bulletin service established shortly after the Unification War by the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP) to disseminate government decrees. In 1928, utilizing early radio technology imported from abroad, the service launched Radio Sinj, broadcasting speeches by Chair of the Assembly Filip Novak and sermons by Diviners to the capital district.
Nationalization: Radio Kresimiria (1933–1964)
In 1933, amidst growing unrest in Moraviskameja and the rise of BRC-21, the government moved to centralize information flow. The Council for Education nationalized all radio infrastructure, rebranding the service as Radio Kresimiria.
Following the passage of the 1933 National Security Act, the radio network became a vital tool for the Council for Internal Affairs. It was used to broadcast curfew warnings, descriptions of wanted insurgents like Lev Ruka, and patriotic music designed to foster a unified national identity. During the chancellorship of Kresimir Kresimirovic II, listening to unauthorized foreign broadcasts was made a criminal offense.
The Television Era (1964–Present)
Television was introduced to Kresimiria relatively late, with the first test signals broadcast in 1962. On May 27, 1964—Republic Day—the service was officially relaunched as Tele-Radio Kresimiria (TRK). The inaugural broadcast featured a live address by Chancellor Kresimirovic III and Blue Dawn leader Leon Rukavin, symbolizing the modernization of the state following the Treaty of Brod Moravice.
In the 21st century, under the guidance of Blue Dawn leader Ari Stov, TRK has digitized its archives and launched an online streaming service, though access remains restricted to within national borders to comply with the Council for Education’s censorship mandates.
With the mandatory rollout of KresiX in 2015, TRK was granted a monopoly on digital news distribution within the domestic “Kresinet.” The broadcaster launched TRK Digital, an on-demand streaming service pre-installed on all Kresimirian mobile devices and computers. As foreign news sites are blocked by the Divine Firewall, TRK Digital serves as the sole source of online information for the vast majority of the population.
Programming
TRK operates two television channels (TRK 1 for news and culture, TRK 2 for entertainment and sports) and the national radio network.
News and Current Affairs
- The National Report (Nacionalni Izvjestaj): The flagship nightly news program, airing at 19:00 on TRK 1. It is the most-watched program in the country. Critics, particularly from the Civic Renewal Front, often accuse the program of having a heavy pro-government bias, particularly during the long tenure of Blue Dawn.
- Voice of the Assembly: A weekly summary of parliamentary proceedings.
Entertainment and Culture
TRK produces a variety of domestic content that reflects Kresimirian values and culture.
- Valley of the River (Dolina Rijeke): A widely popular soap opera that has been running since 1982. Set in a fictionalized version of Ravna Skrad, it dramatizes the lives of two feuding families—one industrial, one agricultural—against the backdrop of Kresimirian history.
- Saturday Night in Sinj (Subota U Sinju): A long-running variety show featuring folk music, comedy sketches, and performances by the National Folklore Ensemble.
- The Chef’s Table: A cooking show that popularized regional dishes such as Yadernij Vash and Bistrice Zhrazha, promoting a unified national cuisine.
Religious Programming
In accordance with the Constitution, TRK dedicates significant airtime to Kresimirianism. Every morning broadcast begins with a reading from the Books of Kresimir, and the High Archbishop’s weekly sermon is broadcast live from the Cathedral in Sinj every Sunday.
Controversies and Censorship
As a state organ, TRK is subject to Article 39 of the Constitution, which mandates that communication platforms “serve the moral and spiritual objectives” of the Republic.
- Censorship: The broadcaster strictly adheres to guidelines set by the Council for Education. Coverage of the AFIM insurgency is heavily sanitized, often referring to attacks as “isolated criminal incidents.”
- Political Bias: During election cycles, opposition parties like Northern Power often complain of unequal airtime compared to the ruling coalition.
- The “Blackout” of 1960: TRK famously delayed reporting on the Bombing of Karlovac University for six hours while the government formulated a response, leading to widespread rumors and panic. This failure is often cited as a key reason for the subsequent reforms in state media transparency under Chancellor Kresimirovic III.