Minister of Communications

The Minister of Communications was a short-lived position in the Grand Ducal Cabinet of Westarctica.

Role and duties

Creation of the ministry

In 2005, Grand Duke Travis sought to increase public awareness of Westarctica and its mission by purchasing advertising blocks in print publications and online. To this end, he explored the possibility of creating a "Ministry of Propoganda." This name was deemed unsatisfactory by most existing members of the cabinet, so the name was changed to Ministry of Communications.

Although the existing Minister of Information at the time, the Duke of Ravencroft, had experience creating ads in the newspaper industry, the Grand Duke wished to create a ministry specifically dedicated to advertising.

Minister of Communications

A new citizen of Westarctica, Mr. Eric J. Karwell, listed "Media Marketing Manager" as his occupation on his citizenship application and was selected for an interview for the ministry position. He was deemed enthusiastic enough and qualified enough for the role and assumed the duties as Minister of Communications in mid 2005.

Grand Duke Travis sent Mr. Karwell a check for $50 with instructions to place the first ad in a place of his choosing. However, after the check was cashed, the Grand Duke was unable to get in contact with Mr. Karwell, and it eventually became apparent that he had taken the money and run. The Ministry of Communication was then disbanded and Mr. Karwell was sentenced to exile from Westarctica.