[DRAFT] Amend TRRMC’s Constituting Act

[Manson]

Only marginally related to your proposal (so it may be offtopic), but how do you feel about having fixed terms for EiC? These could be relatively long (6 months? 9 months? A year might stretch it) to avoid political pressure, but it would still mean that the Assembly is checking of TRT's health on a regular basis. This would hopefully avoid some situations with deeply inactive EiCs who aren't facing challenges.

If they’re elected by TRT staff, sure.

Care to explain why? The TRT is not some exclusive club, the EiC is still a public office.

It just feels inappropriate for non-contributors to have a say in who is selected. Anyone can apply, anyone really is accepted unless they’re clearly applying in bad faith.

Staff opinions matter more to me as EiC than citizen opinions re: the paper.

[Catalyse]

If they’re elected by TRT staff, sure.

Care to explain why? The TRT is not some exclusive club, the EiC is still a public office.

It just feels inappropriate for non-contributors to have a say in who is selected. Anyone can apply, anyone really is accepted unless they’re clearly applying in bad faith.

Staff opinions matter more to me as EiC than citizen opinions re: the paper.

It would be inappropriate to apply these same standards to any other office, wouldn't you agree? Just like the outreach staff shouldn't be the one electing the outreach officer, I don't see why it should be the TRT staff electing the EiC.

[BowShot118]

Care to explain why? The TRT is not some exclusive club, the EiC is still a public office.

It just feels inappropriate for non-contributors to have a say in who is selected. Anyone can apply, anyone really is accepted unless they’re clearly applying in bad faith.

Staff opinions matter more to me as EiC than citizen opinions re: the paper.

It would be inappropriate to apply these same standards to any other office, wouldn't you agree? Just like the outreach staff shouldn't be the one electing the outreach officer, I don't see why it should be the TRT staff electing the EiC.

This ^

[Spartan Termopylae]

I think that Manson will argue that trt isn't a governmental agency like the officer departments are

[Catalyse]

I think that Manson will argue that trt isn't a governmental agency like the officer departments are

Government or not, it is a public office.

[frattastan]

Only marginally related to your proposal (so it may be offtopic), but how do you feel about having fixed terms for EiC? These could be relatively long (6 months? 9 months? A year might stretch it) to avoid political pressure, but it would still mean that the Assembly is checking of TRT's health on a regular basis. This would hopefully avoid some situations with deeply inactive EiCs who aren't facing challenges.

If they’re elected by TRT staff, sure.

It's a suggestion that I would give regardless of the method of election.

Besides, election by TRT staff isn't even part of the draft you're discussing here.

[Manson]

Only marginally related to your proposal (so it may be offtopic), but how do you feel about having fixed terms for EiC? These could be relatively long (6 months? 9 months? A year might stretch it) to avoid political pressure, but it would still mean that the Assembly is checking of TRT's health on a regular basis. This would hopefully avoid some situations with deeply inactive EiCs who aren't facing challenges.

If they’re elected by TRT staff, sure.

It's a suggestion that I would give regardless of the method of election.

Besides, election by TRT staff isn't even part of the draft you're discussing here.

Why would I suggest it if it’s going to be shot down? I’m just stating my preference.

[Manson]

1. The Rejected Realms Media Corporation (the Corporation) is established.

2. The purpose of the Corporation is to publish media, with a focus on news and commentary, that is relevant to the Rejected Realms and NationStates broadly, through the Rejected Realms' regional platforms.

3. The Corporation enjoys editorial independence.

4. The Editor-in-Chief is the head of the Corporation. The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for ensuring the Corporation achieves its purpose through the facilitation of member (henceforth referred to as TRT Staff) applications, publications, and a continued managing management of the Corporation and its policies.

5. Any citizen may challenge for the position of Editor-in-Chief in the manner prescribed for an Officer of the Rejected Realms.

6. The Editor-in-Chief may choose to select another TRT Staff member, if deemed necessary, to serve as Deputy Editor-in-Chief, a role encompassing all the rights and responsibilities of the office of Editor-in-Chief in their absence. The office of Deputy Editor-in-Chief is to be filled at the Editor-in-Chief’s discretion, with it being their unexpressed right to dismiss or appoint a Deputy Editor-in-Chief at will.

7. In the event of the Editor-in-Chief’s resignation, the Deputy Editor-in-Chief shall assume the title of “Acting Editor-in-Chief” and all of the office’s responsibilities until a new Editor-in-Chief can be selected under the provisions outlined in Article 5.

Got rid of the clause allowing TRT staff to vacate the office at will. Please leave comments, looking to at least codify the deputy role.

[Nequedum]

Very happy to second the most up to date edit.

[BowShot118]

While I don't entirely see the point of codifying a Deputy or introducing an the Acting EiC position, I hold no real objections to the amendments

[Minskiev]

Seconded

[Manson]

Motioning my latest proposal to a vote per convo w/ the Speaker.

[Vis]

Second the motion

[frattastan]

It's a bit unusual - none of the other elected offices have provisions for succession like this one.* Theoretically, if there was very little interest in the position, the Acting EiC could serve for many months without ever getting Assembly approval. I wonder if they would choose to openly go through that when they already hold all relevant authority (beyond, maybe, "strong legitimacy"), in fact. But I guess that we will only discover with time how this works in practice.

The upside is that you have a smoother path for continuity in the management of TRT, of course.

The only other potential con that I think of is that can create a de facto succession mechanism, with the EiC heavily favouring the choice of their own successor (compared to 'outsiders' who challenge without being Deputies). However TRT is probably one area where this would have the least negative impact - the field of potential successors would be very small in any case because at any time few people will be good organisers, with writing experience, etc.

* Kind of. The Speaker Act has a succession mechanism, but the term of the Deputy is time-limited anyway because of scheduled elections.

[Giangsang]

I find it strange that the consent of the appointee isn't mentioned. I assume the EiC can't just appoint people who don't want the position, but it still feels weird that it isn't specified at all.

[frattastan]

I find it strange that the consent of the appointee isn't mentioned. I assume the EiC can't just appoint people who don't want the position, but it still feels weird that it isn't specified at all.

I would say it's implied. Consider that an appointee could always resign (even, repeatedly) if they didn't want the position, so

[Guy]

I don’t feel strongly about the substance of the proposal. Unfortunately I didn’t get to proposing some wording amendments, so if this passes I’ll probably immediately propose some non-substantive tweaks. That shouldn’t stop people from voting in favour if they support the proposal otherwise.