The HND reminded citizens that freedom of the press and journalism was their heritage too, and that by protecting media freedoms and rights they were defending their own freedoms and rights.
The year 2006 was the worst in the history of world journalism in terms of journalist deaths. During the Homeland War in Croatia, 14 Croatian journalists were killed while reporting, the HND said.
Citing the Declaration of the Assembly of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the HND warned that public authorities were exerting significant influence on public media such as the Croatian Radio and Television (HRT), Hina, the Vjesnik daily, and local media.
The HND also warned reporters, editors and media owners about the fact that media too were often violating ethnic, religious, sexual and other rights of individuals and groups, as well as the rights of children and minors.
The SNH Executive Committee called on journalists and media workers to join a five-minute walkout, to take place from 11:55 to 12:00 hours on Thursday under the slogan "Five Minutes of Thunderous Silence". The stoppage is aimed at warning employers, relevant bodies and the public about journalists' dissatisfaction with increasingly poor working conditions and growing insecurity.