Press release on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day

ZAGREB, 3 May 2000 - Since becoming an independent state, Croatia has committed itself to establish and uphold democratic standards regarding freedom of the media.

Progress in putting these standards into practice has until recently been uneven and in general slow. However, strides have been made, particularly as regards the print media, in establishing a diverse media, reflecting a range of views and opinions. Notably, the establishment of the Croatian Commercial Network (CCN), providing shared news programming to independent, regional television broadcasters, has given the majority of television viewers a valuable alternative source of television news. The Mission, together with the Council of Europe, encourages the development of private sector broadcasting in Croatia, including the privatization of the third channel of HTV.

Moves under the new Government towards the transformation of Croatian Radio-Television into a public service broadcaster are particularly welcome. In this regard, the OSCE Mission emphasizes the importance of consultation with the Council of Europe on changes to the Law on HRT, as well as elements of the Law on Telecommunications that concern the regulation of the broadcasting sector.

The transformation of HRT goes well beyond the adoption of good laws. The Mission is encouraged by the expressed will of the Government and of the new HRT management to end political direction of HRT and to make professionalism the sole criterion determining appointments to editorial and journalistic positions. Recent improvements in HTV's news and current affairs programming, in terms of greater balance, are a positive indication.

In the context of difficulties being experienced by some national daily newspapers, the clarification of ownership of independent print media is, from the point of view of media freedom, particularly important, as is the maintenance of a diverse print media. Steps to resolve the difficulties of the Tisak distribution company, whose financial problems had made independent print media vulnerable, are also vital to the development of free market conditions for print media.

The OSCE Mission notes with concern that some media faced significant pressure under the previous Government due to the large number of defamation lawsuits brought by political figures. In addition, articles of the penal code relating to freedom of expression place excessive limitations on freedom of public information and of the media.