ZAGREB, June 21 (Hina) - Lack of respect for and the non-implementation of the Law on Croatian Radio Television (HRT) and the need for the adoption of a set of legal regulations were the main topics of a round table discussion,
"Implementation of the Law on HRT", organised by the association of journalists in the electronic media, Forum 21, in Zagreb on Friday.
ZAGREB, June 21 (Hina) - Lack of respect for and the non-
implementation of the Law on Croatian Radio Television (HRT) and
the need for the adoption of a set of legal regulations were the main
topics of a round table discussion, "Implementation of the Law on
HRT", organised by the association of journalists in the electronic
media, Forum 21, in Zagreb on Friday. #L#
Opening the meeting at the Association of Journalists offices,
Forum 21 president Drago Pilsel said the difficult situation on HRT
was additionally aggravated by the non-implementation of the Law on
HRT.
The Law on HRT is not respected even by the HRT Council, which
appoints editors-in-chief who do not meet work requirements,
Pilsel said, adding that Forum 21 would request the Council to
revise the appointment of all television editors.
Forum 21 made this decision after it received information that some
Council members were not acquainted with the profiles of all
members of the editorial board nominated by Croatian Television
(HTV) editor-in-chief Jasna Ulaga Valic.
Culture Minister Antun Vujic said that legal deadlines for changes
on HRT were shifted due to a delay in the separation of the
Transmitters and Communications sector from the rest of HRT.
This is why the Ministry of Culture, which is in charge of the media,
has requested that the government extend deadlines for the
implementation of legal regulations.
The spokesman for the OSCE Mission in Croatia, Alessandro
Francasetti, said that the existing Law on HRT incorporated most
recommendations by the Council of Europe, including the
establishment of the HRT Council as an independent body, free of
direct political influence.
He added that the body appointing the HRT director and making
decisions regarding the management of the HRT should be independent
too, and not formed by parliament, which was the case at present.
HRT Council chairman Vlatko Silobrcic warned about lack of
professionalism on HRT, a problem he said could not be solved with
the best of laws.
HRT deputy director Vanja Sutlic said responsibility for the
compliance with legal deadlines, primarily those for the
privatisation of HTV's third channel, should also be borne by the
state, which had to invite bids for granting broadcast permits for
the third TV network. He added that this would not be possible
before the summer next year and that the separation of Radio and
Television would have to be regulated by separate laws.
(hina) rml