The news of Jasna Vaniček-Fila’s departure from the Media Directorate of the Ministry of Culture and Media, which we found out from the media, raises several serious questions about the current priorities and long-term policy of the Ministry of Culture and Media. This is particularly concerning given that the Media Directorate and the Directorate for the Development of Cultural and Creative Industries are left without a director at a time when the media sector faces an urgent need to implement the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) and adapt key legal frameworks. This was stated, among other things, in the Inquiry sent by the Croatian Journalists’ Association (CJA) and the Trade Union of Croatian Journalists (TUCJ) to Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek regarding the work of the Media Directorate and the priorities of the Ministry of Culture and Media. Below, we present the full Inquiry.
Dear Minister Obuljen Koržinek,
We are addressing you as representatives of the Trade Union of Croatian Journalists (TUCJ) and the Croatian Journalists’ Association (CJA) regarding the appointment of the former head of the Media Directorate and the Directorate for the Development of Cultural and Creative Industries, Jasna Vaniček-Fila, to the Council for Electronic Media (AEM). The news, which we found out from the media, raises several serious questions about the current priorities and long-term policy of the Ministry of Culture and Media, particularly given that the Media Directorate and the Directorate for the Development of Cultural and Creative Industries are left without a director at a time when the media sector faces the urgent need to implement the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) and adapt key legal frameworks, including:
The Media Act,
The Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT) Act,
The Electronic Media Act,
The Copyright and Related Rights Act.
Given the lack of concrete progress in these processes, it appears that the Ministry is not approaching the implementation of European legislation and the adaptation of national laws to the needs of the modern media environment with the necessary seriousness. This is especially concerning when considering that the Media Directorate within the Ministry, following the director’s departure, has been reduced to three individuals, one of whom is assigned to the Audiovisual Activities Sector and another to the Web and Culturnet Service. This further deepens the impression of a lack of strategic vision and long-term solutions in the area of media policy.
Therefore, we request answers to the following questions:
Who is currently responsible for leading the Media Directorate, and how do you plan to ensure continuity in its work?
What is the Ministry’s long-term policy regarding the development and regulation of the media sector?
When do you plan to initiate public consultations on key legislation, such as the Media Act and the HRT Act?
How does the Ministry plan to accelerate the implementation of EMFA and align national legislation with European standards?
We trust you will recognize the importance of these questions and the need for transparent communication of the Ministry’s plans and priorities to industry representatives and the public.
We look forward to your response at the earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Hrvoje Zovko, President of CJA
Maja Sever, President of CJU