HoloNet News

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"This is Alton Kastle for the only news you need: the HoloNet News!"
―Alton Kastle[7]

The HoloNet News (or HNN) was a prominent news agency operating within the galaxy that transmitted data via the interstellar HoloNet. HoloNet News served several galactic governments including the Galactic Republic, the Galactic Empire, and the New Republic.

History

Originally independent, HoloNet News was taken over by the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars to ensure that information would not be compromised by the then enemy Confederacy of Independent Systems.[2]

Following the Clone Wars, Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine founded the First Galactic Empire,[8] and the HoloNet News became the official state-run news agency of his new regime. To ensure that its briefs were consistent with government messaging, the agency was overseen by Pollux Hax,[2] Imperial Minister of Information and member of the Coalition for Progress.[3] It became law that HoloNet News be broadcast at all times in every drinking establishment.[9]

HoloNet News reports were sent via hyperspace transmission, allowing instantaneous connection throughout the whole galaxy.[2] Around five years before the Battle of Yavin,[10] prominent anchorman Alton Kastle delivered broadcasts on key issues and news of the day.[2] In the Outer Rim Territories, the chief manager of the station was Eris Harro.[3] As of 3 BBY,[11] a buyout of Holo News was being discussed within the office of Davo Sculdun, which was picked up by rebel agents Luthen Rael and Kleya Marki via a bug hidden within the Tinian Codex.[12]

By the time of the Battle of Jakku, the New Republic, the successor to the Alliance to Restore the Republic, had taken control of HoloNet News. Since HoloNet News had to compete with other media networks, it preferred to focus on exclusive stories. Tracene Kane, who had previously worked for Queen of the Core Network, and the Sullustan Birt were two known employees of HoloNet News. Chancellor Mon Mothma issued a press statement relating to the discovery of Imperial forces on Jakku to HoloNet News.[4]

Behind the scenes

Star Wars: Andor writer Dan Gilroy compared the Empire's HoloNet News to the profit-driven news media seen in the United States.[13]

Appearances

Sources

Notes and references

  1. ↑ New HNN HoloNet News Special Report: Journalists Across Galaxy Join Press Corps (backup link) (original site is defunct)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 StarWars-DatabankII HoloNet News in the Databank (backup link)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 HoloNet News promotional pin
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Aftermath: Empire's End
  5. ↑ SWInsider "The Voice of the Empire" — Star Wars Insider 170
  6. ↑ Aftermath: Life Debt
  7. ↑ New HNN HoloNet News Special Report: Rise in Citizen Reporting Results in Captured Criminals (backup link) (original site is defunct)
  8. ↑ Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
  9. ↑ Rebels-mini-logo Star Wars Rebels — "Empire Day"
  10. ↑ Star Wars Rebels: The Visual Guide
  11. ↑ StarWars.com Behind the Seams: The Costumes of Andor Season 2 - Updated on StarWars.com (backup link) dates "I Have Friends Everywhere" to 3 BBY.
  12. ↑ Andor logo new Star Wars: Andor — "I Have Friends Everywhere"
  13. ↑ YouTube Andor S2 Emmys Q&A - Tony Gilroy - Dan Gilroy on the Backstory Magazine YouTube channel (August 24, 2025) (backup link)