FEDERAL NEWS BUILDING

• Location: Public Services Ring, New Kourou
• Address: SW Public Services Ring Road 1
• Surroundings: Situated within the southern Public Services Ring the Federal News Building is situated adjacent to the Federal Allotment Center 2

The Federal News Building houses the headquarters of the Federal News Agency (FNA), the Federal Printing Office, and the Editorial Office of The Weekly Gazette. It is the central hub for the production and distribution of print media across the Federal Confederation, ensuring citizens have access to curated information, books, and cultural publications under the principles of Communardism.

The Federal News Building was completed in late 2633 as part of the Communard reforms to centralize information and education after the Great War.

Its establishment consolidated the printing of The Weekly Gazette, official publications, and the curation of Federal Library books into a single building, emphasizing transparency and efficient use of resources. By 2634, it became symbolic of the Confederation’s cultural renewal — balancing GAIA’s oversight with human editorial work.

• Construction Materials: Salvaged bulkheads and alloy panels from the Last Frontier, reinforced with timber from supply crates.
• Floors: 3
• Design Purpose: Built for efficiency in mass-printing, editing, and administration; designed to be functional rather than monumental.

Its façade reflects the pragmatic ethos of the Gamma Age: straight lines, modest windows, and a simple alloy-and-timber finish. Inside, the building prioritizes workspace and secure storage, rather than public ornamentation.

Ground Floor

• Reception Area: Public-facing lobby for inquiries and complaints about publications.
• Federal Printing Office: Main printing hall producing The Weekly Gazette, Federal Encyclopedia volumes, and titles for the Federal Library System.
• Loading Dock: Back entrance for distribution, serviced by the Federal Courier Service.

Second Floor

• Editorial Office of The Weekly Gazette: Large open-plan newsroom with desks for journalists, editors, and clerks.
• Editor-in-Chief’s Office: Reserved for final editorial approval and meetings with the FNA.
• Archives and Data Storage: Secured storage for past issues, unpublished material, and sensitive documents.
• Break Room: Small kitchenette and seating area for staff.

Third Floor

• Federal News Agency Administration: Offices for financial oversight, regulation, and coordination of state communications.
• Editorial Oversight Committee Room: Meeting space for representatives of the Federal Council, the Danah Wanah University, and the Weekly Gazette Chief Editor.

The building exudes a sober but industrious character. The scent of ink and paper hangs in the air, mixed with the metallic tang of old machinery. On the printing floor, the rhythmic clatter of presses echoes like a heartbeat, while upstairs the newsroom hums with hushed discussions and the scratching of pens.

Filing cabinets line the walls, every drawer stamped with the seal of the Confederation. Posters approved by the Federal News Agency mark cultural milestones, reinforcing a sense of collective identity. Despite its improvised alloy-and-wood construction, the building conveys a mood of rationality and fairness: knowledge preserved and distributed with purpose after the Great War.

• Federal News Agency (FNA): Oversees printing, publishing, and regulation.
• Federal Printing Office Staff: Operate presses, bind books, and prepare consignments.
• Weekly Gazette Journalists & Editors: Research, write, and edit news stories.
• Editor-in-Chief: Approves all publications; coordinates with the Federal Council.
• Clerks & Archivists: Maintain archives, handle source documentation, and file official records.

• Public Access: Limited to the reception lobby. Printing and editorial areas are restricted.
• Operating Hours: Mon–Sat, 08:00–18:00. Printing runs on extended shifts during peak cycles.
• Operational Rhythm:
  • Morning: Printing of The Weekly Gazette; reception of citizen petitions.
  • Midday: Editorial meetings; GAIA recommendations for cultural publications reviewed.
  • Afternoon: Distribution loading; administrative reporting to the Federal Council.
  • Evening: Clerks secure archives; printing floor cleaned and reset.

• Guarded Access: Deputies of the Federal Sheriff monitor entry and loading operations.
• Restricted Zones: Press floor, archives, and editorial rooms require ID clearance.
• Analog Alert System: Analog Siren System linked to Sheriff HQ.
• Document Security: Sensitive manuscripts and proofs stored in locked archives accessible only by editorial staff.

Legal (Common Interactions)

• Submit petitions, corrections, or citizen letters for The Weekly Gazette
• Deliver consignments of printed books to Federal Libraries
• Request certified copies of laws or announcements published by the FNA

Illegal

• Smuggle or steal unpublished manuscripts from the archives
• Bribe a journalist to suppress or alter a story
• Sabotage the printing presses to disrupt distribution

• The Missing Issue: A shipment of The Weekly Gazette disappears en route to Morningstar. PCs must trace whether it was sabotage or theft.
• The Blacklisted Story: An editor hides an article banned by the Federal Council. PCs must decide whether to reveal, protect, or publish it secretly.

• Gamma Age
• Federal Confederation
• New Kourou
• Federal News Agency
• The Weekly Gazette
• Editorial Office of the Weekly Gazette
• Federal Library System
• Federal Longlist