At least 696 lawsuits are currently pending against journalists and media outlets in Croatia, according to the latest survey conducted by the Croatian Journalists’ Association (CJA), now in its seventh consecutive year. Civil defamation claims continue to dominate, accounting for 629 cases – or 90 percent of all lawsuits. The total amount being claimed in these suits exceeds €3.1 million. Since the survey does not provide access to full case documentation, it is not possible to definitively determine how many of these lawsuits could be classified as SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) – cases aimed at silencing critical voices and curbing freedom of expression. However, the high initial amounts being claimed in civil suits, often significantly exceeding final awarded damages, suggest that many lawsuits are intended to intimidate the media and promote both censorship and self-censorship, which are core features of SLAPPs.
This year’s survey included responses from 11 media outlets. Only one reported having no active lawsuits, underscoring how pervasive legal pressure has become in daily newsroom operations. The most frequent plaintiffs include public figures, private individuals not known to the wider public, companies, politicians, and members of the judiciary. Particularly concerning is one case that has been open for over 22 years – filed against the newspaper Večernji list. The true financial impact may be even greater, as one media outlet declined to provide data on the amounts being claimed. Furthermore, the sample of 11 media outlets cannot be considered representative of the entire Croatian media landscape, leaving the full extent of litigation-related pressure unknown.
According to official data from the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration provided to CJA for this report, 68 criminal cases involving journalists were active in Croatian courts as of December 31, 2024. In the previous year alone, an additional 197 civil lawsuits for damages were filed, while 547 such cases remain unresolved. Court outcomes over the past four years (2021–2024) are revealing: 30 private lawsuits were either dismissed or withdrawn, and 70 proceedings were discontinued. In the same period, courts issued just 18 guilty verdicts, compared to four dismissals and 24 acquittals – meaning only one in eight journalists was found guilty.
“While 696 lawsuits may appear to be a decrease compared to previous years – which would certainly be welcome – the reality is troubling. The actual number of lawsuits and the sums being claimed are likely even higher,” said Hrvoje Zovko, president of CJA. “There is a culture of legal harassment of journalists and media in Croatia, with the clear goal of financial destruction. Public debate has almost vanished. Lawsuits are being used as tools of intimidation by the powerful, targeting those who speak out, write critically, or investigate. CJA remains firm in its key demand: the full decriminalization of all offences related to insult and defamation. We believe this would reduce legal pressure, as Croatia has long been a country where damage to one’s reputation is most often addressed through the courts and exorbitant compensation claims.”
CJA itself is currently involved in a legal case. Kazimir Bačić, former Director-General of Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT), filed a private criminal defamation suit against former CJA vice-presidents Branko Mijić and Goran Gazdek. The charges stem from a public statement issued by the CJA Executive Committee on March 12, 2021, which the two signed in their official capacity. The statement criticized Bačić’s leadership, particularly his decision to fire CJA president Hrvoje Zovko via a media announcement, and a warning of possible dismissal issued to journalist Maja Sever after a public statement. The release questioned HRT’s management practices and called on relevant institutions to respond urgently and protect journalistic freedom.
In 2023, CJA and the Miko Tripalo Centre jointly launched a project titled Fighting SLAPP, which analyzed 1,333 court decisions and transcripts from 2016 to 2023. The findings revealed that over 40% of analyzed civil and criminal cases contained at least one SLAPP indicator, while half of them featured two or more indicators. Notable plaintiffs included former political figures such as Milijan Brkić (then Deputy Speaker of Parliament and HDZ member) and Tomislav Tolušić (former Minister of Agriculture), as well as HRT and conservative activist Željka Markić, known for the “In the Name of the Family” initiative. Judges also appear among plaintiffs, raising broader concerns about the balance between personal reputation and media freedom.
Baseless or prolonged lawsuits against journalists and media outlets pose a serious threat to press freedom and the public’s right to information. When journalists face constant legal pressure, investigative journalism suffers, and media are less willing to report on topics of public interest – especially when those topics involve powerful individuals or institutions. Such an environment encourages self-censorship and undermines democratic accountability. While everyone has the right to legal redress – and not all lawsuits against the media are unjustified, since mistakes and breaches of professional standards do occur – it is essential to distinguish between legitimate efforts to protect one’s reputation and the abuse of the legal system to silence critical or independent reporting. This distinction is crucial for maintaining the delicate balance between individual rights and the protection of the public interest.