As the broadcast started, many would-be surprised to find that Senator headrail was sitting there alone, dressed in some plainer robes and apparently in his living quarters. The quality of the projector used was also below what was expected of the normally high end and expensive broadcasts that the high and mighty used when addressing the galaxy. The Senator also seemed occupied with checking the controls of his projector, taking a moment before realising he already was online.
Swallowing, and with a grave expression, the man then addressed those that were already watching life: "I wish everyone a peaceful evening that decided to join this unplanned stream, especially those closest to the centre of the conflict. I apologize for the technical difficulties in setting this up, yet now that my recorder has taken pity on me and started working, I should cut the chase and get into why I am sitting here tonight"
Unfolding his hands and prodding himself up a bit on the table, Hedarial kept his gaze tied to the projector, his face remaining solemn and unmoving. "I have not been blind to the many people out there that have decided to critique my speeches in the Senate. I and my team have been dedicating much time to responding to many of the earnest and thought through comments that have been directed my way, elaborating my stance." He cast his eyes down before continuing.
"Yet the last propaganda broadcast that is now circulating wildly in the Holonet has struck us all with horror and disbelieve. I thus decided it best to address it personally and without much delay, so as to at least mend the damage it might do."
Clasping his hands together, and looking into the projector his face tightened a bit as he continued. "The latest broadcast of the Sith perfectly outlines the danger and terror that occur when the fourth estate is controlled by the government. When media loses its independence, and when tyrants rule, truth becomes a footnote and messages are dictated by the mighty."
As he spoke, a bit of anger showed on his face. "It strikes me with horror, that snippets of my speeches in the Senate have been defiled in such a way, painting me a villain in their narrative." He paused as he looked into the projector, his features softening and his anger fading.
"People of Dennon, people of Ossus, survivors of Fierre and all other victims of Sith occupancy. I understand your anger, I commiserate with your suffering. Your tragedies are countless and I can only understate them with my remarks. The boot of the Sith that is weighing on you is one of heavy leather, and your struggle below it is one of life and death. And words like those the Sith chose to rip from my speeches must hurt."
He swallowed and inclined his head. "Yet they are not true. It is my greatest desire, that your children can grow in a world where suffering like yours is unknown and where the fear of bombs and war is not required, a world in which the principles of the Galactic community, of liberty, democracy and peaceful cooperation are adhered to in its fullest. Yet you have become prisoners of an entity which cannot be reasoned with. Your dictators claim that they have changed with the Eternal, yet they refuse to return the ceased territory, lands that they took into their hold through violence and viciousness. The republic was not the first to bomb Denon, as much as they would like you to forget that."
He paused, emphasising the last part of his sentence. "Your leaders claim they want to change, yet they still do not allow you to freely express yourselves and for media to report unhindered within their bounds. They have not released their prisoners, have not relaxed their regulations. They refuse you, their citizens, any part of the power and see you as subjects over whom they rule with an iron fist."
He shook his head, his features hardening once more. "And in their quest to dominate you, they try to indoctrinate you fully to their cause, try to feed you the lies, to gaslight you into submission, make them theirs through force and lies. Yet you must not allow them success in their deceit! You are not the fools to play to the fiddle of tyrants. You know better than to be their sheep they can guide to fall down the ravine. Much has been asked of you, and your role is unenviable, but the sacrifices you make will one day be the heroics that brought down the Sith."
He rose from his chair as one of his hands formed into a fist. "Use the tools available to you that they can not take away fully, keep your faith. Never have the Sith triumphed in the end, and with your resistance, they never can. Don't let them deflect blame onto men like me, outside of their power structure and unable to aid directly. Think about who has taken your planet and dominated your policies. Think who arrested your neighbours and murdered your countrymen! Was it me who encamped hundreds and invaded your nation? Think why your oppressors have a desire to make me so despised, think what they could gain from it"
Loosening his fist, he shook his head. "I know that my plans and my speeches have been unpopular in many circles and that the machine of propaganda and even my opponents in the unoccupied pieces of the galaxy are steering me into a worse and worse light. But do not let them judge my character, do that yourself. I shall give you all a chance to truly learn what I stand for as a politician. You shall be the judge, not the Sith, not contending politicians and Senators. Therefore I will give a press conference on Coruscant in the coming days. I have already rented a seminar room on the second level, and have my staff ensure that it is AMS secure, checking staff and volunteers. All interested journalists, whether of established newspapers channels or private independent nature are invited to join me there on the twelfth standard hour of Centaxday. I will allow all questions, and there will be no scripts or prediscussed items. Just me, those who wish to attend and truthful answers. No middlemen to rip them apart, and wash them out with lies and frame them in another light. I will show the galaxy the unfiltered me, and then you can judge to your heart's content. Or maybe you will see that I am not a villain after all."
Sitting back down again, the Senator took a deep breath as he looked into the projector. "I hope this message helps to lessen the effect of Imperial propaganda, and I hope it puts some rumours to rest. Stay informed, try to get sources outside the Imperial options and keep yourself updated. May peace be with all of you, and may events turn to the best." Leaning forward, he disabled the projector, ending the broadcast.