Branches of the Croatian Journalists’ Association (HND) at Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT), along with trade unions representing HRT journalists and media workers, have sent an open letter to the Committee on Information, Computerization and Media of the Croatian Parliament, which we publish in full below.
We are writing to you deeply concerned about the future of Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT), our public service broadcaster of immeasurable importance for informing the public, fostering culture, and supporting democracy. At the recent thematic session of the Croatian Parliament’s Committee on Information, Computerization and Media, the current situation at HRT was discussed, with a special focus on the Consolidation Plan, which has already resulted in job cuts without any clear analysis of their consequences or the long-term needs of the public broadcaster.
Given the alarming signs of deteriorating program quality and staffing standards, the lack of a clear vision or development strategy for HRT, and the possibility of disbanding HRT’s choirs and orchestras, as well as other departments and regional bureaus—alongside the haphazard merging of radio and television—we believe it is essential to immediately halt unplanned layoffs and implementation of the consolidation plan until a comprehensive development strategy is established.
A public service broadcaster must not be reduced to mere numbers and algorithmic logic—it must have a clear vision aligned with European standards of media freedom and public service independence.
At the session, the following conclusions were proposed:
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Immediately stop the uncoordinated reduction of staff and implementation of the Consolidation Plan. It is critically important to determine both staffing surpluses and shortages to ensure program sustainability.
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Develop a clear, concrete, and precise five-year strategy with the primary goal of improving program quality, including programming schedules, human resources policies, and digital transformation.
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Based on this strategy, prepare a detailed Consolidation Plan in collaboration with the Programme Council, Supervisory Board, Workers’ Council, and HRT trade unions.
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Draft amendments to the HRT Act, harmonized with the European Media Freedom Act.
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Ensure the financial stability of HRT.
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Exclude any notion of eliminating HRT’s choirs and orchestras from all strategic or planning documents.
A final decision on the proposed conclusions was postponed to the next session of the Committee.
With this open letter, we wish to spark a public discussion about the future of HRT. We are calling on the Committee on Information, Computerization and Media—the body responsible for decision-making regarding HRT’s future—to respond to our appeal for protecting high-quality and independent public service journalism, strengthening professional standards, and preserving HRT’s cultural identity.
We expect responsibility and concrete actions that will return HRT to its core mission: serving the public interest. We urge that party-political interests not be allowed to override the public good.
Respectfully,
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Branch of the Croatian Journalists’ Association at Croatian Television
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Branch of the Croatian Journalists’ Association at Croatian Radio
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Croatian Union of Cultural Workers, HRT Musicians’ Section
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Independent Union of HRT Workers
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Croatian Trade Union of Commerce – Field Workers at HRT
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SOMK – Education and Media Culture Union
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HRT Technical Workers’ Union (HURS)
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Trade Union of Croatian Journalists’ – HRT Branch of Journalists and Media Workers