The focus of the discussion was the Draft Act on the Protection of Persons Engaged in Public Participation, with particular emphasis on SLAPP lawsuits.
Representatives of the Croatian Journalists’ Association and media outlets met today at the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation with Minister Damir Habijan. The central topic of the discussion was the Draft Act on the Protection of Persons Engaged in Public Participation, with a particular focus on SLAPP lawsuits. Representatives of the HND and media organizations presented concrete examples of the negative impact such lawsuits have on journalistic work and media freedom.
They also discussed improving the system for protecting journalists and all media workers in Croatia. As a positive example, they highlighted the agreement between the HND, the Trade Union of Croatian Journalists, and the Ministry of the Interior. Participants also addressed the issue of further improving communication between the Ministry and the media and journalistic community.
The meeting was attended by Hrvoje Zovko, President of the Croatian Journalists’ Association; Melisa Skender, Secretary General of the HND; Jelena Valentić, Editor-in-Chief of the portal Telegram.hr; Ivan Buča, Editor-in-Chief of 24sata; Berislav Jelinić, Editor-in-Chief of the weekly Nacional; Tihomir Ladišić, News and Program Director at N1 Television; and Dario Markas, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Večernji list.