Introducing the draft rules, Croatian Television (HTV) news department editor Vladimir Roncevic said that the HTV would make it possible for all presidential candidates to present themselves after the official start of the election campaign, as well as broadcast duels in the run-off.
From the announcement of the start of the election campaign to the election day, HTV Channel 2 will present on working days presidential candidates and programmes relevant for the course of the election campaign.
HTV Channel 1 will broadcast a special programme on the night of the elections, January 2, 2005, as well as on January 16, in a possible run-off, Roncevic said.
Croatian Radio will introduce all presidential candidates in special broadcasts and report about their election activities in special programmes.
On the day of the elections, Croatian Radio will also broadcast a news conference of the State Election Commission, said Croatian Radio news department editor Vladimir Kumbrija.
In a debate about the rules of election coverage, it was stated that the Law on the Election of the President of the Republic was drawn up at the time when the political and media situation in Croatia was considerably different, but that the law had to be respected.
A report by the HRT directorate on the company's business results between January and September 2004 states that the HRT earned income of one billion and 13 million kuna, while expenses totalled 962 million. Subscription fees accounted for 61 percent and advertisements for 34 percent of the income.