European experts to advise on Croatian media legislation

ZAGREB, 24 February 2004 - A group of European media experts will meet Croatian Government officials, lawmakers and civil society representatives this week to give advice on media legislation and ways to bring it fully in line with European standards.

Taking place at the request of the Croatian Government, the visit is jointly organized by the Council of Europe, the European Commission and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Its purpose is to review four laws the Law on Croatian Radio and Television, Law on Electronic Media, Law on Media and provisions of the Criminal code pertaining to libel which the Government has stated its intention to amend.

The alignment of Croatian media legislation with European standards has been a long-standing recommendation of the Council of Europe, the European Commission and the OSCE.

The expert mission which will travel to Zagreb is composed of the Vice-Chairman of the Council of Europe's Steering Committee on Mass Media, Polish expert Dr. Karol Jakubowicz, the President of the Broadcasting Council of Slovenia, Dr Sandra Basic Hrvatin, and a British barrister, Dr. Gavin Millar QC.

Representatives of the three international organizations will accompany the experts in their meetings.