Print media in Croatia may soon face significant challenges. In addition to the substantial decline in newspaper circulation in recent years, Tisak, the largest retail kiosk chain, has announced it will cease the distribution of printed publications, as confirmed to Index. Tisak, owned by Fortenova for the past five years, is Croatia’s leading distributor of print media—a fact often highlighted on its official website, reports Index.
Tisak explained that after careful analysis, they implement annual changes to ensure long-term business sustainability while prioritizing the stability of over 2,000 jobs the company currently provides.
Here’s how Tisak justified its decision to discontinue distribution to Index:
“Tisak will continue selling printed publications but has informed our partners that we can no longer provide distribution services. To date, we have distributed printed editions of various publications to a vast network of over 3,000 locations across Croatia, far exceeding the number of Tisak’s own sales locations.
Unfortunately, we are no longer able to perform this function as distribution is not part of our core business. However, we will do everything in our power to ensure that the availability of printed editions at our points of sale is not compromised,” they said, adding that they are not the only ones recognizing the importance of print distribution and its role in ensuring public access to information.
“We believe this activity would complement the operations of economic entities primarily focused on distribution. We are ready to support the transfer of our extensive knowledge and experience in this specific field to other interested parties, enabling the continuation of this vital activity,” they stated.
Hrvoje Zovko, president of the Croatian Journalists’ Association (CJA), said that Tisak’s decision could result in Croatia becoming the only EU country without newspapers at kiosks next year. This would leave citizens without access to general informative printed editions and many journalists without jobs.
Zovko pointed out that general informative daily newspapers and weeklies have the largest newsrooms and that their closure would represent an unprecedented devastation of the journalism profession.
“The CJA’s position, which we have discussed with the Ministry of Culture and Media, is that the state has an obligation under the current Media Act to promote media pluralism and diversity. The only viable solution we see is distributing newspapers through Croatian Post as a public company.
Many EU countries subsidize print distribution this way. Of course, such state subsidies would require publishers to commit to not engaging in mass layoffs of employees directly involved in producing media content. Mechanisms would need to be introduced to ensure this,” Zovko said.
When asked how Tisak’s cessation of distribution could affect newspaper circulation, which has already declined significantly, and what consequences such decisions could have, Zovko warned that Croatia could lose hundreds of journalists overnight.
Despite this, he expressed optimism about resolving the issue and urged against panic.
“I want to emphasize that we are optimistic about resolving this problem, and there is no need for panic. It is the responsibility of the state, publishers, and the CJA to ensure uninterrupted distribution. I believe this will ultimately happen, preserving jobs in the process. We are in constant contact with editors-in-chief, publisher representatives, the Association of Print Publishers, and the Ministry of Culture and Media,” Zovko concluded.