"Following threats made to Feral Tribunal journalist Drago Hedl, we see the latest threats issued against reporters and editors of Radio 101 and (the national broadcasting corporation) HRT as the most serious attack on the freedom of speech and expression this year. The HND therefore urges the police to protect the journalists and make it possible for them to continue doing their jobs as usual," HND president Dragutin Lucic wrote in a statement on Thursday.
Lucic underlined that "in a civilised community no one has the right to impose their views by violence".
"The HND appeals for public dialogue and tolerance and for the creation of an atmosphere in which different, or completely opposed, opinions can be stated in public without fear, even on such important issues as the role of the first Croatian president, Dr Franjo Tudjman, in recent Croatian history," the statement said.
Noting that "Croatia should not be a place where journalists get death threats," the HND said that "all threats and attacks against journalists and media are at the same time threats and attacks against the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Croatian Constitution and numerous international conventions".