A roundtable discussion on the state of media and journalism, organized by the Croatian Journalists’ Association (CJA), will take place on Monday, March 3, starting at 11 a.m. in the Great Hall of the Journalists’ House (Perkovčeva 2, Zagreb). Besides journalists and editors-in-chief from Croatian media outlets, representatives of relevant institutions, academia, and decision-makers have also been invited to speak.
With this event, HND aims to initiate a public debate on the findings of the international mission Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) regarding media freedom in Croatia and the most important issues for the profession, such as the Media Act, the transposition of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) provisions into Croatian media law, the implementation of the Anti-SLAPP Directive, and the survival and distribution of print media.
The report titled Precariousness and Political Pressure – Addressing Challenges Undermining Media Freedom in Croatia assesses the state of media freedom in Croatia by highlighting long-standing and newly emerging legal, institutional, and social challenges that weaken media resilience and threaten journalist safety. It provides a detailed analysis of the current situation by examining key issues such as outdated legislation with problematic provisions, the state of public media, the hostile environment journalists face, economic and political pressures exacerbating precarious working conditions, and obstacles preventing access to information.
The findings are based on a fact-finding mission conducted online between September 9 and 20, 2024, by partner organizations within the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium. The mission involved meetings with a broad range of stakeholders, including Croatian ministries, media houses, journalist associations, academics, and civil society actors.
Key findings of the mission include that the Media Act requires comprehensive reform to align with European standards, especially the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). Key areas include ensuring the independence of the public media service, editorial independence, increasing transparency of media ownership, and regulating state advertising practices to prevent undue influence.
The high frequency of SLAPP lawsuits (strategic lawsuits against public participation) as tools to intimidate and silence investigative journalists remains a significant problem.
Journalists face increasing threats, including verbal and physical harassment, defamation campaigns, and financial insecurity. Women journalists are particularly vulnerable due to gender-based threats.
Access to information is seriously restricted, further worsened by the recent introduction of a new criminal offense penalizing the disclosure of judicial information.
The public media service, Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT), faces criticism for cases of political interference in editorial policy, including the dismissal of journalists critical of the government and promoting content favorable to the ruling party. HRT’s credibility is further undermined by its reliance on the state budget and the parliamentary procedure for appointing its leadership and supervisory bodies.
Finally, the Agency for Electronic Media (AEM) and its governing body, the Electronic Media Council (VEM), are not independent due to political interference.
In addition to journalists and editors-in-chief from Croatian media, representatives of relevant institutions, academia, and decision-makers have been invited to speak.