ZAGREB, Oct 21 (Hina) - The Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Tuesday accused Croatian Television (HTV) of "an unbalanced coverage" of SDP and HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) rallies in its news programmes last weekend.
ZAGREB, Oct 21 (Hina) - The Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Tuesday
accused Croatian Television (HTV) of "an unbalanced coverage" of
SDP and HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) rallies in its news
programmes last weekend. #L#
SDP leader Ivica Racan said the national television denied the
public an opportunity to see "a dramatic difference" between the
rallies of the two parties, stressing that there was "no hate speak
or insults" at SDP rallies as opposed to those of the HDZ.
Speaking at a press conference, Racan said he was unhappy with the
way in which his party's rallies were presented in electronic
media.
HTV apologised to the SDP on Tuesday for broadcasting a 19-second
report on the SDP's "Tell US Everything" campaign and a minute-long
report on an HDZ convention, which also included a segment of the
speech by HDZ leader Ivo Sanader.
SDP officials believe such coverage by HTV caused their party great
damage, because at their final rally in Zagreb they wanted to show
that their party was capable of dialogue by answering questions
from citizens who confronted them with promises they had failed to
deliver during their term.
Racan said that the SDP would continue its election campaign in a
civilised manner to represent "a well-mannered and European
Croatia", but that it would also draw attention to hate speak coming
from the HDZ.
The SDP leader said he supported civilised dialogue and that in this
context he was "always ready for a TV duel" with his HDZ rival, Ivo
Sanader.
(hina) vm sb