At a recent session of the Croatian Parliament’s Committee on Media, the discussion focused on chaotic layoffs, the lack of vision, and the dismantling of Croatia’s public broadcaster. While several conclusions were proposed, the key question remains: will committee members support them, or will party interests once again override the public good?
Maja Sever, President of the Trade Union of Croatian Journalists and the European Federation of Journalists, emphasized the gravity of the situation:
“Do you know who Ivan Kojundžić is? A voice that shaped HRT. A professional who taught many, and from whom future generations will also learn. He’s leaving. And he’s not the only one. Just the other day, a colleague of mine – a former news editor and outstanding documentary filmmaker – told me she’s leaving because she can no longer endure the atmosphere of decay.
People who built and maintained the standards of HRT are leaving – not because they found better opportunities, but because they can no longer bear the torment and exhaustion. They are leaving because they refuse to be part of the dismantling of what a public service broadcaster should be.
How do you plan to continue producing quality programming when you systematically remove your best people? You are chasing numbers. Only numbers. But where is the vision? Where is the plan? The idea of what HRT should be?
I speak here today on behalf of hundreds of dedicated people who know how to make quality programs – and who are tired of the political stranglehold and pressure on HRT.”
Sever pointed out that there is no political will or determination to free HRT from this grip and restore it as a strong, independent, and credible public service:
“There is persistent disregard for the European Media Freedom Act and resistance to reforming the Croatian Law on HRT.
Instead of concrete reforms to transform HRT into a modern, European public service, we have a ‘consolidation plan’ – which, judging by its subtitle, might as well be a highway reconstruction plan. That’s how shallow and irresponsible it is, completely detached from the reality of HRT.
Fortunately, artificial intelligence is advancing so rapidly that Deloitte might soon be replaced by a chatbot. With the right prompts, the chatbot could probably do a better job. It would at least know how to search the web and discover that one of HRT’s core values – and a pillar of Croatian culture – is its Symphony Orchestra. Not only the symphony, but also the Jazz Orchestra, the Tamburitza Orchestra, and the HRT Choir.
A chatbot would find stunning performances from ‘Zagreb Klassik’ that showcase exactly what a public media service is for. But the HRT management, consultants, and decision-makers don’t care – they don’t even know how to find that.
On page 25 of the Consolidation Plan is the suggestion of possibly dissolving the orchestras and the choir. What’s next? Letting go of anyone who owns six olive trees and a rental apartment?
Does it matter that person might be a top-tier cameraman, a well-known journalist, or a skilled sound technician? Apparently not – as long as we chase numbers.”
Sever bluntly addressed the title of the Committee session, “What Future for HRT?”:
“Let me tell you – there is none, if this continues. Because this isn’t development – this is dismantling.
The Consolidation Plan mentions an ‘audience-oriented approach,’ but fails to define who this audience is or what they want.
If we aim only for mass appeal, should we start broadcasting ‘trap-cajke’ music because it’s what most people listen to? That’s not public service – that’s algorithmic logic fit for social media.
We demand from the Government a clear strategy aligned with the European Media Freedom Act, reform of the HRT Law, depoliticization of HRT’s management, and a concrete plan for financial stabilization – without eliminating core programming and cultural content.
Croatia deserves a high-quality, independent, and modern public service. HRT must be rebuilt – not destroyed.”
Sever concluded with a strong message of resistance and commitment:
“We will not go away. You may continue down this path, you may try to silence HRT – but there are still many of us. And we will not be silent.
We will build a front of resistance – against you and for an independent public service. For journalism. And if you don’t know what you’re doing – we do.”