[Economics] Two Journalists Accused of Tiland ‘Extortion’

Two Journalists Accused of Tiland ‘Extortion’

Elmer Anders, Illium Business Weekly

Sonda Kykriss and Megetta Lornatch, department heads for business at the Quarterhatch News Group, have been arrested for attempting to extort several hundred thousand credits from the volus-led Tiland Bank. According to Tiland representatives, they have reportedly sought monetary compensation in exchange for not running damaging articles on the former’s solvency.

Kykriss and Lornatch are accused of requesting 864,000 credits in exchange for not releasing news stories on Tiland Bank’s worsening financial situation, as well as reportedly “intense” lobbying for Irune- and Illium-based economic stimulus packages which would benefit the bank itself.

Both journalists have denied the allegations, and Quarterhatch has labeled the arrests a “crude and savage attempt to silence the press and endanger the public.” They have threatened a countersuit, and have stated that they will be investigating Tindal’s former CFO Qater Hun (who died in the Irune theater of the Reaper War last year).

Tiland Bank has been facing financial difficulties and has been ranked as “below-average” on the Nebit-Tigree Post-Reaper Recovery Index.

Why would someone ask a failing bank for blackmail money? Seems a little redundant.

You think they'd come up with a new line after awhile.

Presumably, to cripple any further chance of Tiland's recovery if the bank said no by releasing the story. Quarterhatch either has hired two remarkably amoral journalists with a penchant for sniping at business interests not tied to those running their service, or the other option, both of them are just idiots looking for a quick chit-transfer and thought that a failing bank - probably accurately - had a lot of potential dirt to kick up.

This is, of course, if Tiland's accusation is completely correct and accurate, which we aren't in a position to assess.

Now that the secret are out, I doubt the bank can be salvaged even if they win their case. I doubt the journalists can bankroll the bankrupcy proceedings.