Chapter 3: Freedom of Speech

Terminal hacked in abandoned apartment block, Bucklyn, Manehattan.

Thanks A Bunch: Hey, pal. Thanks for that think piece on the buffalos. It helped sell a lot of issues. You won’t believe how hard it has taken to get the magazine off the ground. I know you wanted to remain anonymous, but “Gabby Gums”? Really? I thought I was the only pony who remembered that. Maybe in the future you could write some more articles for me. See you later.

Note #2: Hey, pal. Thanks again for this. I hope you don’t mind me sending you notes about your articles. And before you start bugging me, your cheque is already in the post. I pay all of my staff fairly, even there are only six of them. You could count as our seventh member if you dropped the silly pseudonym and joined us officially.

Note #7: This piece is fantastic. Ponies loved the first apart on Griffinhoof, and this follow up will be great fun. Sounds like a place Daring Do would go. It took their minds off what’s going on. Not much, but every little helps. I don’t think everypony wants to be reminded about the war every five seconds of the day. Let’s have more of these things.

Note #11: I’m a little concerned about this one, pal. It reads more like an angry rant than a professional piece of journalism. The armour was made by the MoWT, and they always do test runs before putting out their tech on the field. They wouldn’t produce shoddy armour that can’t stop a single bullet. This needs some toning down. I don’t want to lose my audience as soon as I’ve got it.

Note #18: The rest of the staff have had mixed reactions to this one. “What Does Princess Luna Dream?” – Snapshot said it was weird. Daisychain’s comment was “Ever heard of quality control?”. But Milky Way said it was cool, and ponies would want to know a bit more about their princess. That’s enough to convince me. Maybe add a little more flair to it, then send me the final draft.

Note #24: “Early To Bed, Early To Rise, Makes A Pony Healthy, Wealthy and Wise”. Ever considered becoming a poet?

Note #32: “It’s Not All Black and White - What zebras are really like.” Everypony is screaming at me not to publish this, and it’s tempting to follow their advice. Everypony knows zebras aren’t as savage and crazy as all the posters say, but I don’t want to rattle anypony’s cage. Littlehorn’s anniversary is coming up and I don’t want to come off as insensitive.

Note #34: Hey, pal. Things are a bit shaky. I knew that piece would kick up a storm, and we got a few angry letters. But then, some suits from the MoI popped around to have a chat with me. Talking about sensitivity and “staying the course”. No threats or anything, just advice as they called it. I think their visit was their way of saying “Don’t go against the regime.” I’m worried we’ll get an injunction or something. The MoI are bad enough, but I really, really, really don’t want to cross paths with the MoM. There is something seriously scary about Pinkie Pie, and that big billboard they put up across the street from my flat really isn’t helping. Look, just send me whatever you have and we’ll run it – as long as it isn’t about zebras.

Note #36: There are a few spelling mistakes here and there. Are you okay, pal? This isn’t like you. Either that, or I’ve become a grammar griffon.

Note #37: There’s even more spelling errors. What’s going on?

Note #41: Okay, pal. I know you are still upset about me chickening out over publishing anymore pieces about the zebras, but it doesn’t mean you have to act immature about it. You’re a good journalist. We just have to be more careful about your choice of topic. You are one of my best friends, and I don’t want you getting hurt.

Note #42: I liked the sound of that celebrity endorsement idea you mentioned. Personally, I see nothing wrong with Fluttershy sponsoring Sparkle Cola. She is pretty cute for her age. But, hey if you think it is corporate propaganda or whatever, then by all means, send it my way. It might be a good read and convince ponies to drink healthier.

Note #48: Okay, I need you to put the article on hold for now. We need to get the jump on what happened in Stalliongrad. I think Sparkle Cola’s popularity is gonna bombdive after this. This could be a more serious follow-up to the other one you wrote. How could a factory like that have such poor safety conditions? Those poor foals. At least this time, they’ll get proper justice. Contact every pony you know who might have something to say regarding safety in factories and what-have-you. Or at least people in a position of authority or disgruntled Sparkle Cola employees. Find some safety inspectors if you have too. This one is going to be huge.

Note #49: Can you believe some ponies? Not a single hint of sincerity in Sparkle Cola’s statement. It is ponies that built the factory, it is ponies that put up that faulty catwalk, and it is ponies that dunked those poor foals into the vats. We’ll keep poking the MoP for some kind of response from Fluttershy but I doubt we’ll get far.

Note #52: A few typos here and there but this is some great material. How did you find out the Mint-Als contained herbs found in zebra country? The MoM will love this.

Note #67: Getting some complaints for this one from the rest of the staff. There’s been no official word from the Ministries about the Diamond Dogs being kicked out of their homes. Okay, everypony knows the MoAS has been scouting for somewhere to build new digs, but nothing’s been said about doing something like that. We should hold it off until we get confirmation. I know you really don’t care for this sort of red tape, but I’d rather deal with a little bureaucracy than have everyone look like idiots for printing something that isn’t true.

Note #68: I can’t believe you! You went behind my back and asked Milky Way to publish your stupid article! Now I’ve got the MoI breathing down my neck to release a blumin’ statement saying we printed a dud issue. You’re really pushing your luck, pal! Why did you do it? Because you think it’s the truth. You want it to be. We have to be careful. Say the wrong thing in Equestria now and it is like stepping on a landmine. There still hasn’t been any words on the Diamond Dog situation, and there might not be. Get your act together, mate. The name Gabby Gums caused a lot of trouble before. Don’t start repeating her mistakes.

Note #79: I don’t know what I’m more mad about. The fact that those damned zebras tried to shoot the Princess, or that the MoI have sent every newspaper and magazine in Equestria a set of guidelines on how to write about what went down at those so-called peace talks. Guidelines, my ass. More like propaganda. I’m telling you, pal, this is making my blood boil. Whatever you write better be good. Slag off the zebras, write a biography on Big Macintosh, do a thought piece on where the war is gonna go. Just write something that will…damn I don’t even know what to suggest here. I’m just so mad! Stupid zebras! Stupid war! Stupid Ministries! Stupid everything! Look, our entire issue is going to be dedicated to Princess Celestia and Big Macintosh. This was a group decision, so please go along with it.

Note #91: Hey, pal. Can you believe we got invited to that Stable-Tec press conference? For the first time in this dumb war, I felt like a proper journalist. Or at least one who was taken seriously. These Stables sound pretty cool. You haven’t sent me anything on the announcement, though I suppose that makes sense since you didn’t want to come. You can’t stay anonymous forever. Write up something short and sweet for next issue. Oh, by the way, we’re having a little party at Hoofbeats to celebrate. You’re welcome to come.

Note #92: We’re in trouble now. I got a letter from the MoI suggesting that the damn Stable article was “unpatriotic” and now they are sending an MoM liaison to the office. I’ve been asked, no, no, ordered basically to send your terminal number to them so they can personally lecture you. Okay, what you wrote was a little risqué, but you only asked if building these big Stable thingies was really necessary. In your own way. I’m sorry, pal. This shouldn’t have happened.

Hiddi-Ho: Salutations, Tootsie Roll. Yes, we know who you are. We’ve known since you starting writing for The Horse’s Mouth, and have been keeping tabs on you and your editor for a while now.

By the authority invested in me by the Office of the Mare of the Ministry of Morale, I, Sandbag, am informing you of a pending warranted search of your apartment and other such locations, and of your immediate arrest for interrogation for spreading slander, false rumours of misconduct on part of the Equestrian government and Stable-Tec, and inciting unpatriotic morale amongst the citizens of Equestria.

Expect a team of Ministry of Morale agents at your home address within the next few hours to escort you to the nearest police station, and any attempts to resist will likely cause further counts to current accusations against you. Your employer Featherweight was taken in for questioning yesterday, as were all staff members of his magazine.

Now, perhaps your thoughts and opinions on recent events have twisted your sense of patriotism and faith in Princess Luna and the Ministries, but I can firmly assure you that they will guide us through these terrible times. Perhaps when after this is all over, you can resume your career as a journalist and help contribute to making a better tomorrow for your fellow ponies. Times are harsh and tough decisions must be made, but we at least we all know that it is for a good cause.

I shall speak to you in person when you are brought in for interrogation. And please note, we may have to examine your memories to identify your informants and sources. Have a nice day.

Hey: Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Roll. Featherweight here. I know we haven’t spoken much since I left Ponyville but I hope you are well. It’s been three months since I last talked to him. I left my magazine to Milky Way, and he’s doing an okay job, but purchases aren’t all that high now. Probably because Tootsie’s articles are gone. Have you heard from Tootsie yet? I tried sending messages to his apartment but they were blocked. What did those stupid MoM hoofheads do to him? I hope they didn’t hurt him or remove any of his memories. I called an old friend who works at Shattered Hoof, but she didn’t know anything about Tootsie’s whereabouts. Please, if you hear from him, please let me know. Thanks a bunch.

Author's Note

I looked up info on newspaper censorship during World War II for this chapter for a little inspiration and research. I was originally gonna have Featherweight and Tootsie remain anonymous, but then I wanted the characters to be a little bit more fleshed out through their relationship.