ZAGREB, Jan 27(Hina) - Prime Minister Ivo Sanader on Tuesday rejected accusations that members of his government were exerting pressure on journalists, and said that he and his government fully supported the independence and freedom
of the media.
ZAGREB, Jan 27(Hina) - Prime Minister Ivo Sanader on Tuesday rejected
accusations that members of his government were exerting pressure on
journalists, and said that he and his government fully supported the
independence and freedom of the media.#L#
"Democracy is based on the freedom of the media," Sanader said in
parliament when responding to criticism by Zeljko Pavlica of the Libra
party about the intervention of Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul in Hina
and pressure on a Slobodna Dalmacija reporter over an article on "the
Cacija case".
Sanader explained in detail why Zuzul had made a phone call to Hina
during his visit to Brussels when he met European Commission President
Romano Prodi.
"I am sorry if his intervention led to a misunderstanding and negative
sentiment in the public. If there were inappropriate words, it was not
right," the prime minister said.
Sanader denied allegations that members of his government or
ministries were exerting pressure on a Slobodna Dalmacija reporter
over an article on Assistant Interior Minister Stipe Cacija, which
said that Cacija had refused to pay alimony for his illegitimate son
despite a court ruling.
"I have no knowledge of any such pressure. I can only appeal to those
who exerted pressure to stop doing it," Sanader said, adding that the
police had been instructed to protect the mother of Cacija's
illegitimate son from any possible attack.
(Hina) vm sb