ZAGREB, April 15 (Hina) - Experts with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Monday and Tuesday held talks with Croatian officials about a bill on the electronic media and legal regulations pertaining to
libel, the OSCE Mission in Zagreb stated.
ZAGREB, April 15 (Hina) - Experts with the Organisation for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Monday and Tuesday
held talks with Croatian officials about a bill on the electronic
media and legal regulations pertaining to libel, the OSCE Mission
in Zagreb stated. #L#
The talks are part of the OSCE's efforts to help Croatia develop
media legislation which is fully adjusted to European standards and
practice, the Mission's head, Ambassador Peter Semneby, said.
Semneby said that the OSCE would continue to closely cooperate with
the government and provide advice so it could realise its needs in
the area of media legislation.
Katryn Nyman-Metcalf, a legal expert cooperating with the OSCE's
representative for media freedom, met Croatian officials at the
ministries of culture, European integration and maritime affairs,
transport and communications and presented her views about the
adjustment of the said law to European standards, the Mission said
in a statement.
One of the topics discussed during the talks was the role and level
of autonomy of a proposed regulatory body for the electronic media
and the need for a close coordination in the ongoing preparation of
a draft bill on telecommunications.
Alexander Ivanko, a senior advisor to the OSCE's media freedom
representative, met officials at the justice ministry and media
experts, with whom he discussed the current situation regarding
libel laws and their application.
The OSCE's representative for media freedom advocates full
decriminalisation of libel. The issue has been forwarded to the
domestic authorities, which still treat libel as a criminal act.
(hina) rml