usually there's something in MOTD that points to a portal article that refers to a forum post
I agree it's messy, but picking the portal as the only place for announcememnts just because it's what
www.planetarion.com points at isn't the best idea.
1. The question isn't just where people start out, it's about where they go from there, and where they go from the portal is straight into the game to check for incomings, send def or start a research.
Once all the hectic items on the agenda are accounted for one might settle down for a chat on irc or for some reading. And while the portal does offer some reading, there's no place like the forums for spending the 59min between ticks engrossed in reading.
2. The Forums are easier to read than the portal. While the forums allow users to change styles to allow them to read a page they're comfortable with the portal is really hard to read, and no matter how you design it it will be unrestive to the eyes of many.
3. When
www.planetarion.com is down the portal is a useless place for announcements. the forums however would be the place to go to look for info.
That's why the forums are the best place for announcements.