ZAGREB, Jan 17 (Hina) - An association of electronic media reporters, Forum 21, on Wednesday night handed a special scroll of honour to academician Ivan Supek for his general contribution to the democratisation of the Croatian society
and for the creation of a favourable climate for the development of free media. The association also handed out annual awards to radio and television reporters. Academician Supek expressed his gratitude for the scroll, and wished for the media to strengthen and advocate the basic principle of journalism - the truth. He recalled that not every fact is just that, but also carries a message. Croatian President Stjepan Mesic recalled that the media, as the entire society, are still undergoing a "sometimes painful process of transition". He said that laws on media only normatively followed democratic principles, while often being non-objective and burdened with the recognition
ZAGREB, Jan 17 (Hina) - An association of electronic media
reporters, Forum 21, on Wednesday night handed a special scroll of
honour to academician Ivan Supek for his general contribution to
the democratisation of the Croatian society and for the creation of
a favourable climate for the development of free media. The
association also handed out annual awards to radio and television
reporters.
Academician Supek expressed his gratitude for the scroll, and
wished for the media to strengthen and advocate the basic principle
of journalism - the truth. He recalled that not every fact is just
that, but also carries a message.
Croatian President Stjepan Mesic recalled that the media, as the
entire society, are still undergoing a "sometimes painful process
of transition". He said that laws on media only normatively
followed democratic principles, while often being non-objective
and burdened with the recognition of political affiliation.
Mesic stressed that only those for whom the media work could control
the media, which was the public, and the media were obliged to
inform, never to "impose assessments and stances".
The chairman of Forum 21, Drago Pilsel, again warned that the
dignity of the journalistic profession was still in jeopardy. The
Croatian Television (HTV) lacks educated and highly ethical
journalistic personnel, Pilsel stressed, adding that there was
still censorship in television.
The HTV must have a show-down with corruption, bribes and the
cheating of subscribers which has been going on for a long time.
Acting chief of the mission of the Organisation for Security and
Cooperation in Europe in Croatia, Robert W. Becker, stressed that
the transformation of electronic media, especially the HTV, into an
independent public service, was an important commitment to
Croatia. He added that numerous principles important for an
independent public television were included into the Law on
Croatian Radio and Television (HRT), but also believes that
important provisions on the independence of the institution had
been left out of the law.
Becker said the OSCE believed that the present Croatian government
authorities supported the policy of the freedom of the media, but
still advised them to amend the Law on the HRT to secure the HTV's
independence from political control. He also added that amendments
should be passed to the Law on Telecommunications to insure the
independence and transparency of the process of granting
concessions for private electronic media.
During the ceremony at the Journalism House in Zagreb which was,
besides Mesic, attended by prominent people from Croatia's
political and social life, as well as representatives of the
diplomatic corps, annual awards were presented for journalistic
and editor work in radio and television station programmes.
(hina) lml sb