ZAGREB, Oct 31 (Hina) - Discussing amendments to the law on Croatian Radio-Television (HRT), drawn up by the Culture Ministry, the HRT Council said on Thursday it was not necessary to adopt a completely new law, because the problems
of the national radio and television can be settled by changing some of the existing regulations.
ZAGREB, Oct 31 (Hina) - Discussing amendments to the law on Croatian
Radio-Television (HRT), drawn up by the Culture Ministry, the HRT
Council said on Thursday it was not necessary to adopt a completely
new law, because the problems of the national radio and television
can be settled by changing some of the existing regulations. #L#
According to the conclusions which the HRT Council adopted and
forwarded to the Ministry, the government and parliament, the
amendments should not be adopted in urgent procedure without a
comprehensive public debate.
The council described some provisions as a step backward in the
process of creation of public television. Such provisions are also
in opposition to the OSCE conclusions, which might endanger
Croatia's international position, it was said.
The Council asked for the elaboration of an overall analysis of the
financial costs and the justification for the separation of the
radio and television.
The Culture Ministry suggested two possibilities for the division
of the HRT system, but both cases envisage that the separate public
institutions (radio and television) be in a union of the HRT
institutions.
Apart from the proposal for the division of Croatian Radio-
Television into two public institutions, the ministry also
proposed setting up the HRT Music Production as the third separate
institution.
The union of the institutions would be headed by the director and
the HRT Council.
The ministry also proposed three solutions for the Council's
composition, with the number of council members ranging from 11 to
25. However, all the three solutions rule out the possibility of
appointing members of parliament or state officials to the
council.
Some members of the incumbent council described this as yet another
attempt by politicians to assume control over the HRT, and stated
that its sole purpose was to replace the current council members.
By the end of this year, an independent company, to be chosen by the
HRT director, will have to compile a report on the HRT programme in
line with a request by the Sabor.
(hina) ms sb