Zoran Milanović, as a private individual, is free to dislike Nova TV journalist Ivana Pezo Moskaljov or Večernji list journalist Tomislav Krasnec. However, as President of the Republic, he certainly was not given a mandate to use his position of power to publicly attack them—or any other journalist.
The Croatian Journalists’ Association (CJA) considers unacceptable the latest outburst by President Zoran Milanović, who, during a press conference held in Slunj as part of his official visit for the military exercise “Combat Power 26” (Borbena moć 26), chose to confront journalists instead of answering their questions.
Unfortunately, this has become an increasingly common practice among senior public officials whenever journalists ask uncomfortable questions or critically scrutinise their actions—even though this is, and must remain, one of the core responsibilities of journalism.
Journalists have a duty to hold those exercising public power accountable in the public interest. Likewise, public officials, just like all beneficiaries of public funds, have an obligation to answer to the public. That is how democratic societies are expected to function.
The number of votes won in an election cannot serve as justification for authoritarian behaviour, nor does an electoral victory grant public officials the authority to act arbitrarily, lecture journalists or attack members of the press simply because they dislike the questions being asked.
Zoran Milanović, as a private individual, does not have to like either Nova TV journalist Ivana Pezo Moskaljov or Večernji list journalist Tomislav Krasnec. However, as President of the Republic, he certainly was not entrusted with a mandate to use his office to target them—or any other journalist.
It is particularly unacceptable that President Milanović told Ivana Pezo Moskaljov, who has spent 25 years consistently covering defence issues, that she does not know how to do her job. Equally unacceptable was his decision to draw members of Tomislav Krasnec’s family into a public debate.
As Croatia’s oldest professional journalists’ association, the Croatian Journalists’ Association will respond to every attempt to discredit our colleagues, especially when such attacks come from political officeholders. That is not what elected officials are paid to do. They are paid to answer questions.
On behalf of the Executive Board of the Croatian Journalists’ Association
Hrvoje Zovko, President of the CJA
Drago Hedl, Vice-President of the CJA
Chiara Bilić, Vice-President of the CJA