ADVENT: Organizations
The Public Relations Division
"A citizenry of the brainwashed is useless. One armed with logic is a necessity for the future."
- Ally Myer, Director of the ADVENT News Network
Proposal 0291
Latest Revision: 8/17/2016
Designation: The Public Relations Division
Program Type: Public Relations; News and Information; Information Control
Authors: Kyong Suk-Chul, Minister of ADVENT Public Relations; Chancellor Saudia Vyandar; Elizabeth Falka, Director of ADVENT Intelligence; Laura Christiaens, Commander of the ADVENT Military; Lesya Moroshkina, Chief Social Media Coordinator; Kieran White, Chief Local Media Manager; Ally Myer, Director of the ADVENT News Network; Casen Rasmussen, Chief of Investigation and Journalism
INITIAL PROPOSAL: As ADVENT continues to expand throughout the world and beyond, there are going to be a disparate collection of individuals of varying backgrounds, nationalities, and lifestyles. Given the state of the world and war, it is crucial that effort be expended to ensure that these individuals remain properly appraised of all major and minor developments within ADVENT, and guide their outlook towards one focused on the advancement of Human interests. The Public Relations Division will be responsible for achieving these goals.
OBJECTIVE AND AGENDA: There are multiple objectives for the Public Relations Division. The first is to work as a direct line between ADVENT and the citizens. Through the PRD, ADVENT citizens will be informed about new developments in ADVENT regardless of if they are legal, military, or political. ADVENT officials will utilize the PRD to make statements and clarify questions from citizens and press.
The second objective is to work to monitor, enhance, and protect the public image of ADVENT and our interests. This includes dedicated media platforms to operate on commonly used channels, openly disprove misinformation and anti-ADVENT sentiment, and exercise narrative control over developments within and outside of ADVENT territory.
It is essential that ADVENT works to remain neutral in the presentation of facts, and shall build itself around this. As the PRD and affiliates are voices of ADVENT, information must be kept strictly information or correctional against misinformation. Opinion and speculation are unnecessary and imply a lack of control or knowledge. We know what is happening, we will only say it if it does not threaten our own interests.
It is important that through the PRD, ADVENT begins a reshaping of public perception and opinion over Humanity, nationality, and other labels people identify themselves with. The public should be informed in that they understand rationales that govern ADVENT and the threat aliens and foreign nations pose to a vision of unity and prosperity. Media has a high impact on the lives of citizens in this day and age, and it is time we leverage it ourselves.
COMPETITION WITH OTHER MEDIA SOURCES: The PRD will primarily be competing with other traditional and established news sources through the proposed ADVENT News Network (ANN). This will be presented as an alternative to traditional media, and will attract viewership through a variety of different means (to be detailed below).
It is important that the ANN not be shown favoritism outside of public address and service announcements, as our intention here is to ultimately provide a service better than other similar institutions and allow them to fade into irrelevancy. The ANN has significant advantages of being tied directly to ADVENT, but we must be careful in how this advantage is exploited.
We do not want to drive competition out of business yet. It is far preferable to die naturally and be supplemented with eventual affiliates. Media sources are already facing increased regulation, all of which the ANN is subject to, there is no reason to give them additional reasons to become hostile towards us.
Recent developments of alternative media primarily centered around individuals, ideologies, and other fringe political personalities will be combated with the PRD Affiliate Program which will recruit talented individuals and networks to enact our agenda, and will be provided with means and resources to outstrip potential competition.
In addition, the PRD will be working to provide equal service and accessibility options in traditional and online media, at a higher quality than competing services. Narrative controls will also be applied, though primarily on social media platforms and to combat disinformation, alien propaganda, and baseless anti-ADVENT sentiment.
PRIMARY DIVISION I – PUBLIC RELATIONS: This division will be responsible for the management of announcements related to the state of ADVENT at large. These channels will be for ADVENT officials, military leadership, congressmen, and other officials to make announcements, declarations, or updates on the status of ADVENT territories, operations, and other decisions that directly affect the state and the citizens of ADVENT.
SUB-DIVISION – PRESS RELATIONS: Press relations will exclusively cover ADVENT's official interactions with members of the press, both established, non-traditional, or independent. They will be responsible for managing all requests for interviews, tours, approvals for temporary clearance, as well as working as an intermediate party for both groups.
This sub-division will also manage weekly press conferences where officials of ADVENT will take questions from members of the press. This will be managed by the Press Secretary who will be the one to primarily take questions and are required to provide substantive answers or reasonings so long as they do not compromise ADVENT operations or plans. Press conferences will run for a limit of four hours or until all questions are answered. For major developments or decisions, emergency conferences will be called. Requests for certain members of ADVENT to answer questions can also be proposed by press members.
All of those who wish to utilize the advantages of this sub-division are required to be fully cleared by ADVENT and be capable of passing a background check to be granted Press Clearance. This can be revoked by ADVENT at any time.
This sub-division is also responsible for proactive interactions with other media, such as requesting interviews, providing updated information or clarification, or issuing corrections to misinformation.
SUB-DIVISION – CITIZEN RELATIONS: This sub-division is responsible for providing a direct connection between ADVENT and the citizens themselves. They are responsible for organizing community initiatives, conducting polling, and managing engagement, including election participation. They are forbidden from endorsing specific candidates, but are allowed to encourage participation itself.
This division also manages bi-weekly town halls or public forums where citizens can ask questions of their own without restriction. This is only open to ADVENT citizens with clean records, and a ranking member of the local Peacekeepers, government, and military are required to be in attendance. This event will last a full day with no exceptions.
Similar events on a state/territory or national level will be held monthly and bi-yearly respectively. It is on the citizens to provide transportation to these events. These will only be cancelled in the event of imminent danger to the attendees or major military developments.
Furthermore, this sub-division will also be responsible for providing important local literature and resources for new local citizens, housing assistance, public service announcements, and other information which could be important for citizens in the area. ADVENT personnel are encouraged to interact with the community wherever possible and establish a rapport that can only grow.
SUB-DIVISION – CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONS: An internal sub-division of this division which is responsible for direct interactions between the Executive Branch of ADVENT and the Congress of Nations. Through them the Executive Branch will provide suggestions, insight, and information on certain plans and intentions of ADVENT. Addresses to the Congress itself will be managed through Congressional Relations.
It is also through them that the Congress will be able to request information from the Executive Branch or other parts of ADVENT which may or may not be granted depending on sensitivity, classification, and importance to ADVENT. However, it is up to the Executive Branch to provide reasons to dissuade potential investigations from Congress beyond classification and internal security.
PRIMARY DIVISION II – THE ADVENT NEWS NETWORK: One of the primary developments will be the creation and maintenance of a traditional news network with the goal of informing citizens of important developments on global and local scales. The ANN will be funded directly by ADVENT which will be properly disclosed to avoid potential confusion and accusations.
Aside from funding, the ANN will be subject to the same rules, regulations, and procedures regarding access as all other media platforms. However, repeated violations will result in leadership or offending individuals being arrested and/or replaced. Funding will not be lowered due to the importance of maintaining a consistent media presence.
The ANN will offer options and amenities other networks do not, such as all programs and affiliated websites ad-free, with no subscription service or package necessary. All features and programs will also be made available for later viewing free of charge, in a database which will continually be updated and expanded as their own library goes.
The ANN will be broadcast in multiple languages, live translations of which can be manually selected by the viewer, and the primary language will depend on the region in question. Viewer suggestions will have a repository for them, which can be curated at the discretion of Research and Quality Control.
SUB-DIVISION – AGENDA CONTROL: This sub-division is responsible for managing the overall direction and focus of coverage, be it on the current conflict, political relations with foreign nations, domestic policy, or public service announcements. Agenda Control is responsible for deciding and approving each day of coverage for Global Program Control, Military Program Control, and have final say on proposals from Local Program Control and Investigation and Journalism.
Approved coverage will be sent out each morning to each applicable division, who will have time to prepare. This is to prevent foreign nations, rival news organizations, or alien espionage to acquire stories or information before it appears. Agenda Control will be heavily secured and will have access to Peacekeeper and ADVENT Intelligence protection.
Agenda Control is also subject to any approval by ADVENT Intelligence, the Oversight Division, or the ADVENT Military. While none of those entities can officially decide the course of ANN coverage, all of them have immediate veto power, though repeated usage may result in investigation by the Oversight Division.
SUB-DIVISION – GLOBAL PROGRAM CONTROL: This is considered the most important program for ANN, as it will focus on events and developments which have a global impact. This includes political developments between ADVENT and foreign powers, the passage of laws from the Congress of Nations, and of course the war itself and the impact it continues to have.
This program will run approximately eight hours and will be run during the late morning to early evening in each respective timezone and territory. This has the potential of being extended in the event of sudden developments or emergencies. However, it should be emphasized that the ANN is not primarily defined as a 24-hour news network, and will have primary times of operation which are subject to change.
SUB-DIVISION – LOCAL PROGRAM CONTROL: This is one of the most versatile arms of the ANN, and is custom-made for each major city or region. Local Program Control will be responsible for informing of local developments, elections, and events. It will also issue area-specific public service announcements including imminent attacks, emergency protocols, and evacuation information.
It is the goal of an area's ANN team that they develop a good relationship with the community they are covering, and recruit locally if possible for most positions. Some programs will be large, while others will be far smaller. The allotted resource budget depends on a number of factors including population, importance, and location.
The program will run concurrently to the Global Program, with the same conditions and exceptions. In the event of an attack, the Local Program will continue working to provide all citizens with up-to-date information as well as providing information to local military and Peacekeeping forces.
SUB-DIVISION – MILITARY PROGRAM CONTROL: The purpose of this sub-division is two-fold. The first is to inform citizens on military developments and showcase insight into the life of soldiers, intelligence officers, Peacekeepers, and other members of ADVENT who are tasked with keeping citizens safe. This will include tours of bases, trenches, and stations.
These will also include interviews with military personnel from soldiers to the Commander of the ADVENT Military which will be special programs that will not always be scheduled. The other purpose of Military Program Control is to serve as a resource for citizens to utilize. Important survival information such as how to shoot, clean, and maintain firearms, basic military tactics, alien autopsies and vulnerabilities, how to survive alone or in groups, how to use improvised weapons, and other pieces of information that could save lives will be shown in dedicated segments to viewers.
These segments will be rotated daily, and serve to be interspersed between live programs as all instructional videos are pre-recorded. This program will have two four-hour segments, from early to mid-morning, and late-afternoon to early evening. Additional segments may be added before or after as Agenda Control sees fit. Repeated videos are subject to being superseded by other material produced by this sub-division.
SUB-DIVISION – ELECTION PROGRAM CONTROL: This program is responsible for all election coverage conducted by ANN, which can include, but is not necessarily limited to, interviews, debates, informational videos, polling, and analysis. Election Program Control is unique in that it is also overseen by ADVENT Election Control to ensure that there is no inherent bias within the program.
This program is not always in operation. It will only be utilized exactly three months before elections and no sooner. It will not endorse or reject particular candidates, though it will provide a means for every approved candidate to present themselves. Attempts to interfere with, bribe, or otherwise sabotage this program are subject to arrest and prosecution.
SUB-DIVISION – INVESTIGATION AND JOURNALISM: This is a division that is responsible for finding or confirming stories of major or minor impact. This will be primarily composed of solo or small teams who will be permitted to work as they see fit, and given whatever resources are necessary to do so. The only hard requirements are that no laws can be broken and entering into hostile territory is heavily discouraged without armed escort.
Journalists will complete their work and later submit it to Agenda Control for final review. They may also be contracted by Research and Quality Control to conduct additional research for other unrelated stories or matters. Those who have their works approved will have it published online, and a segment dedicated to it on Military, Global or Local programs, depending on where Agenda Control decides is the best fit. Follow-up interviews may be conducted.
Journalists do have access to resources, but they are not granted special access due to being associated with the ANN. Mismanagement of resources will result in journalists being terminated from ANN. For any rejected works, a complete explanation as to why is required from Agenda Control, with the possibility of rewriting or reworking.
SUB-DIVISION – RESEARCH AND QUALITY CONTROL: What can arguably be considered the most important division, Research and Quality Control is responsible for ensuring that all stories and programs run are factual, accurate, and reflect the high standard ANN has for its content. Every single proposal will be vetted by this sub-division, and returned as VALIDATED, INCONCLUSIVE, FALSE, with accompanying sources. This does not mean that stories will not be presented, only what the final conclusion is.
In addition, this sub-division will be responsible for attaching all sources to presented stories and maintain a thorough library to combat misinformation. The ANN does not deal in opinion and speculation, it presents what is known or can be shared and will update as new information is discovered. This sub-division also has the authority to demand retractions if they become necessary, which only Agenda Control can override. An override automatically flags an investigation from the Oversight Division to prevent potential misinformation from continuing to be shared.
PRIMARY DIVISION III – SOCIAL MEDIA AND AFFILIATE MANAGEMENT: This division has dual responsibilities, the first of which is managing ADVENT's social media presence on all platforms and effectively and clearly communicating all important information from the ANN and ADVENT officials.
The second responsibility is managing all affiliates, which are independent content creators (on a wide range of subjects, which include alternative news channels, artists, comedians, educational channels, gaming content, commentary channels, film critics and directors, and sports content) who have become partnered with ADVENT for the purposes of engagement, promotion, and receiving funding for their productions.
SUB-DIVISION – AGENDA CONTROL: Similar to the Agenda Control of ANN, the Agenda Control for this division is responsible for working to promote what ADVENT's current priorities and agenda is. In contrast to the sister department, this only strictly applies to Social Media Management, as productions by ADVENT Affiliates may not be related to current state needs.
Agenda Control does directly oversee the Affiliate Handlers and will provide them topics and relevant productions which ADVENT will directly promote sooner, though they do not have the authority to dictate content unless it is against the signed agreements. They do have the authority to block content from being posted, though must provide a full legal explanation along with an opportunity for correction.
SUB-DIVISION – SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT: As is expected from the name, this sub-division is responsible for all social media connected directly to ADVENT, as well as those of personnel. While they do not actively control personal accounts, they are responsible for monitoring them for any problematic content and to ensure that all employees are behaving professionally online and holding to ADVENT standards.
Social Media Management has the authority to take down the profile of any personnel who break these standards, and screens all content from those in higher-ranked positions prior to posting. They are also responsible for monitoring all comments and responses to their own content, including full moderation of controlled sites. In addition, access to social media platforms is provided, with ADVENT Intelligence support if necessary.
Finally, some of their responsibilities include research and keeping up with Internet trends, slang, memes, and other aspects of Internet culture to observe any potential dissenting, alien meddling, and to effectively utilize them for ADVENT programs and social media. For this reason, the quarantine of problematic sites such as 4Chan are advised to remain online to serve as containment for the more troublesome individuals and eventual subversion.
SUB-DIVISION – AFFILIATE HANDLERS: Within the Affiliate Program each approved Affiliate is assigned a Handler who is responsible for acting as a direct line to ADVENT and provide the Affiliate with suggestions, advice, legal counsel, and answering questions they may have. They are also responsible for reviewing all content to ensure it is approved for publishing.
Behind the scenes they are responsible for ensuring that the Affiliate has all requested resources, setting up meetings or interviews if applicable, acquiring information or research if requested, and ensuring that funding is being provided. They are also responsible for ensuring that the Affiliate has completed all relevant registration procedures and paperwork on a regular basis.
Affiliate Handlers should primarily be individuals who are consumers of whatever content is produced by Affiliates, though not to the extent that it will interfere with the ability to perform their jobs effectively. They should be informed on any nuances and contextual misunderstandings which may arise, but in general should not block content unless it violates ADVENT law or agreed upon guidelines, or the quality of which reflects poorly on ADVENT.
SUB-DIVISION – RESEARCH AND QUALITY CONTROL: This sub-division performs identically to the one which works under ANN. It is responsible for ensuring that content produced for this division is as factual and accurate as possible, which applies directly to ADVENT social media and personnel, and while they do not have control over postings of individual personnel, all are heavily encouraged to review posting guidelines provided by Research and Quality Control.
They are also responsible for assisting Affiliate Handlers to ensure that all Affiliate content falls within this standard. They have the authority to deny, pull, or otherwise restrict Affiliate content so long as an explanation is provided with an opportunity to fix it. They do not perform the function to direct review, but rather assist Affiliate Handlers by providing information they request.
RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING: The Public Relations Division will focus recruitment efforts into a wide range of disciplines, careers, and trades. Individuals with experience in both old and new media will be targeted, as well as journalists, news anchors, and political analysts. Due to several quality control departments, the targeting of individuals involved in education and fact-checking will also be a priority.
Individuals or organizations for the Affiliate Program will be chosen based on a number of factors, including quality of content, criminal background, location, audience, platform, and support of ADVENT. They must also sign several agreements to hold themselves to a code of conduct and follow rules and procedures which are intrinsic to the Affiliate Program.
While individuals working in rival news organizations should not be directly approached, all positions will offer incentives over equivalent positions to attract talent and targeted advertising is authorized to promote these positions, and other ones within the Public Relations Division.
ADVENT INTEGRATION AND MARKETING: The Primary divisions of the PRD will be first established through infrastructure and hiring, and when that is in place, integration will follow shortly. Public Relations will be put into effect immediately due to the necessity of ensuring direct lines from ADVENT Officials to the public.
The ANN and Social Media and Affiliation Management will be brought online shortly after when a number of programs have been created, accompanied by a significant campaign to inform people of the existence of the ANN, Affiliate Program, and other aspects of the PRD. The initial members of the Affiliate Program will be encouraged to develop reports or other content on them, and members of the press will have opportunities to tour the premises and speak with directors and personnel.
ADVENT Intelligence will continue to heavily promote all ANN and Affiliate programs through social media and other platforms for a period of six months, and after this period there will be reevaluation to determine if more marketing is necessary. The PRD will be firmly established when it has become a daily influence on the lives of citizens, and that is what we shall strive for.
CONCLUSION: ADVENT has a responsibility to keep citizens informed about developments which impact them daily and long-term; the Public Relations Division is how we will tackle this responsibility and shift the focus of news, coverage, and information distribution to one that is more informative and not mired in opinion and ratings.
Freed from these requirements, ADVENT will be able to effectively share the facts with citizens directly and cleanly, as well as promoting alternative sources through the Affiliate Program which will continue to spread our influence, and exert our control over the spheres of content creation. It is imperative that we gain a firm hold over these sources of content lest they grow beyond our control.
The Public Relations Division is how we use our influence for the betterment of ADVENT. We must ensure there are no mistakes before we begin.
"Well, I didn't expect to see you here. Guess ADVENT would get a journalist to interview a journalist. Trust me, I know well enough how much of a compliment this is from ADVENT. They only give this kind of access to people they feel are fair and have some level of trust."
"Oh, absolutely. You've interviewed people who don't give glowing praise of ADVENT. And you also get more than one side of a story. ADVENT can appreciate that, as do I. So let's get down to it, usually I'm not the one answering the questions."
"I can dispel that. ADVENT doesn't have an issue with the press as much as people would like to think. It's more…apathetic if anything. They've got more important things to worry about than a random person criticizing them – and I'm going to be very straightforward here: ADVENT doesn't fear the public. That isn't how you get change done in ADVENT. They don't have time for that, and to a certain extent, I don't disagree."
"I have my issues with ADVENT for sure. They're too authoritarian for me to be fully comfortable. Election Oversight in particular is one of my personal problems. No one is really under the impression that ADVENT is perfect or doesn't have certain issues – in some ways that's an interesting thing to note. Almost no one is going to completely agree with ADVENT on everything – major issues mind you – but there is usually enough to placate most people."
"The political spectrum is definitely being rewritten here. That's inevitable as far as I'm concerned. Left, right, capitalist, socialist, all those political labels are going to disappear eventually or be retooled to work within ADVENT. Something most people don't really recognize now is that ADVENT isn't interested in radical change. No one is going to be able to elect a firebrand that will rebuild the system or fundamentally change what ADVENT is now."
"Well, yes and no. I suppose we should talk about that. If you're openly hostile to ADVENT, you don't get far at all. You either get kicked out or don't apply in the first place. Can't blame them for that – why would ADVENT want someone like that employed or in government? But that's…well, the big thing ADVENT cares about. Don't rock the boat, or if you do, have a good reason for it that benefits them."
"What I'm trying to achieve? Well, you've heard of me. I'm a believer in an open press, which I know goes against some…recent actions taken by our benevolent ADVENT Intelligence. I can see the rationale ADVENT uses; I don't agree, but I can say that unlike previous administrations, their reasons are at least based in something beyond embarrassment and damage control."
"I've already been called a traitor, Miss Wong. Or a collaborator. Friends were lost over this career move, but I don't regret it. It's simple – one person against ADVENT is going to fail spectacularly. ADVENT runs things now, and making a difference isn't like how it was. We need to adapt if we want to keep our professions. Do I condone every action ADVENT takes? No. Do I think that they're better than the old governments? Some yes, some no. They're the best we're going to get though."
"Will journalism die? Funny, Miss Wong, if you're referring to ADVENT's current leak purge, then no. Investigative journalism is a lot more than making the government look bad; something I feel many of my colleagues are motivated by. It's not about the story, it's revenge against ADVENT. Too self-destructive and partisan, not to mention it won't work."
"It will evolve. Simple as that. What I can offer unmitigated praise for is the Oversight Division. I remain amazed that such an organization was put together and given actual power. They will be the tool of the next generation of journalism. People will still go to the press with evidence of misconduct, corruption, and secrets, but many more will find out that going to the Oversight Division will solve the problem much quicker."
"Ultimately, the truth is that complaining about the injustices one can see in ADVENT, or any other government, will rarely bring about lasting change. This will not come through revolution, but it can come from within. It is not an ideal solution, but if there is not an effort made, you cede the future to whatever ADVENT decides is best. I would prefer to work to temper some of their less-than-stellar impulses, and that can only be done from the inside."
"Certain people will still hate me, and others like me, but they will have no impact on the future, whereas I intend to make a difference wherever I can. I do not believe that I've compromised by own values by working within ADVENT, and insinuating otherwise is…well, rather narrow-minded and simplistic. The world is not simple, it is not black and white. You need to compromise and adapt, and if you cannot do either of those, then you will be left behind."
"There is also the little problem of the aliens. I think it's in all our best interests to get rid of them as soon as possible."
- Interview between Chief of Investigation and Journalism Casen Rasmussen and Jessica Wong
One of the initiatives ADVENT has undertaken which has received minimal attention is the creation of what is known as the ADVENT Affiliate Program. It is advertised as a partnership between ADVENT and creators and media personalities of all types. The range of what is covered under this program is genuinely impressive, as it includes commenters (political and otherwise), animators, artists, gamers, and filmmakers; a healthy mixture of entertainment and serious pursuits.
Through the Affiliate Program, ADVENT will provide the individual with resources, connections, and funding for all their projects and content, in return for ADVENT having control over what is allowed to be distributed, as well as the affiliate being required to maintain a clean criminal record, produce quality content, and otherwise not give ADVENT reason to pull their support.
This has been viewed with initial skepticism from major content creators who are wary of partnering with ADVENT and giving them significant control over what they produce, but up-and-coming creators were more willing to take risks in return for what ADVENT could provide. Thousands have spent countless hours putting together portfolios to send to ADVENT for review.
"It's already changed my life," Hugo Lialson, a young animator and recent high school graduate said. "With everything going on I didn't know what I could do; I'm not cut out to be a soldier and this hobby was all I knew I was good at. I sent it to ADVENT and since then they've given me everything I need. Seriously, it's incredible."
His testimony is far from the only one. Almost all initial ADVENT Affiliates have a positive opinion on the program, saying that ADVENT paid for nearly everything, and were efficient, friendly, and had a clear interest in helping them develop and grow. All of them were heavily boosted when ADVENT began promoting them, resulting in them shooting up in popularity within the span of weeks.
This has sent shockwaves through nearly every online community, with the realization that there was a significant increase in competition. "ADVENT changed the game overnight," independent musician Carly Twon said. "Getting famous previously was almost always entirely due to luck – or it took a very, very long time. ADVENT is essentially promising these people 'we will make you famous', and I don't know how they'll sustain it, but it's going to completely change how things work if it keeps up."
Partnered networks for both video platforms like Youtube and movie studios have seemingly been silent or unwilling to comment on this development, though in response many smaller affiliates of these entities have terminated their contracts – something ADVENT has been willing to provide assistance in – to work with ADVENT instead.
There is a mixture of responses, with many larger content creators electing to remain on their own, though viewing their new rivals with some concern, even as they primarily ignore this development as it doesn't affect them significantly. Several fairly large ones have spoken out on ADVENT's actions to acquire a massive affiliate network with concern.
"This is one of the scariest developments from ADVENT," political commentator Chris Pollyson gave in a video on the subject. "This is buying off people, but wording it in a way so that they feel like ADVENT is treating them fairly. The ironic truth is that they are, and this engenders goodwill, so when ADVENT says "Hey, can you say this for us", they aren't even going to hesitate. They're just going to do it. ADVENT is creating an unwitting propaganda army and will use it to push whatever narrative they want. No one should take this offer unless they're willing to throw away their impartiality."
Several other affiliates have pushed back on the idea that ADVENT is dictating content to them. "He's reacting emotionally," Sophia Za, another individual with a small political channel said. "It's not exactly difficult to figure out what ADVENT will have a problem with. They aren't children; they can take some critique, they basically want you to have your facts in order first. I produce daily content, and not all of it was nice to ADVENT, and not once did they tell me 'say this' or 'don't say this'. That isn't how it works."
Regardless of opinions on the ultimate goals of ADVENT, the fact remains that they are quickly reshaping the scene of social media, influencing, and video content in significant ways. ADVENT appears to plan on expanding the Affiliate Program to provide opportunities to whoever wishes to join. It is a significant investment on the part of ADVENT, but one they seem to eventually expect to pay off handsomely.
When asked if she had any advice for new affiliates, Sophia added one thing. "Keep your receipts and detailed logs of whatever you do. ADVENT isn't going to reimburse without proof. A rookie mistake I made, and I don't want anyone else to miss out." ADVENT itself has posted several informative videos and documents online which detail how to become an Affiliate, as well as how the program works.
The ADVENT Public Relations Division was unable to provide an answer as to how large the Affiliate Program is, or is planned to be, though they did state that "We are extremely pleased with the quality of content produced by our Affiliates, and look forward to continuing to work with them and many others in the future. We will be releasing numbers at the end of the year."
While the overall impact of the Affiliate Program will not be felt for more months yet, by the end of the year we expect that it will change the landscape of the Internet as we know it.
- Article: ADVENT's Affiliate Program takes the Internet by Storm