HoloNet

"The Imperial Holonet broadcast should play here at all times. It's the law."

The HoloNet was a large communications system used by the citizens of the Galactic Republic and its successor state, the Galactic Empire. The HoloNet News was broadcast on the HoloNet during the reign of both governments. Following the Battle of Endor, the New Republic, the successor government created by the Rebel Alliance took control of HoloNet and began easing the Imperial restrictions and censorship.

History

The Clone Wars

During the Clone Wars, the Galactic Republic used HoloNet to broadcast news and information to the general public.^[1] While serving as Count Dooku's Sith apprentice, the Jedi Master Quinlan Vos earned the nickname "Admiral Enigma" on the Republic's HoloNet.^[2]

Age of the Empire

"There's only so much HoloNet I can take."

―Garazeb Orrelios^[src]

During the Empire's reign, the Galactic Empire used the HoloNet to broadcast both news and Imperial propaganda.^[3] In 14 BBY, after the frequent attacks by a rebel cell led by former Imperial Berch Teller on shipments headed for the Death Star's construction site, the newly-promoted Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin restricted use of the HoloNet to the Empire only. This decision, together with other plans enacted by the governor, was speculated by some to mean that an Imperial takeover of the Outer Rim was imminent.^[4]

Several Imperial worlds such as Gorse had local editions of Imperial HoloNet channels such as Imperial HoloNews. The HoloNet was also a source of conspiracy theories for individuals such as Okadiah Garson. The rebel sympathizer Hetto also maintained contact with rebel operatives such as Hera Syndulla using the HoloNet.^[5] Imperial newscasters such as Alton Kastle on the planet Lothal used HoloNet News to distort facts and events in the Empire's favor.^[6]

By late 5 BBY, Imperial law decreed that the Imperial HoloNet broadcast should be played in public establishments such as Old Jho's Pit Stop all the time.^[7] Rebel operatives such as Gall Trayvis managed to circumvent this ruling by hijacking Imperial transmissions with pro-rebel propaganda. Later, Travyis was exposed as an Imperial agent.^[8]

In 4 BBY, a frequent stream of negative Imperial propaganda on HoloNet led the Spectres rebel cell on Lothal to hijack the Imperial Communications Center at Jalath. Despite the capture of one of their members Kanan Jarrus, his Jedi apprentice Ezra Bridger managed to give out a pro-rebel broadcast before the tower was destroyed by Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin.^[3] Following the death of Maketh Tua, Imperial HoloNews claimed that the Spectres had assassinated the Imperial minister.^[9]

During the Empire's reign, the Rebels used a secret HoloNet channel to broadcast secret information about the Empire's weaknesses to other freedom fighters.^[source?]

New Republic

Following the Battle of Endor, the New Republic, the successor government to the Rebel Alliance, abolished the Imperial restrictions and censorship on HoloNet. They also encouraged the creation of several HoloNet channels including the Queen of the Core Network to win over the galactic public.^[10] By 5 ABY, the New Republic had assumed control of HoloNet. The Liberation Day attacks were broadcast live on the HoloNet, demoralizing the general public and dissuading several worlds from joining the New Republic.^[11]