HRT LEADERSHIP REFUTES HTV EDITOR-IN-CHIEF'S ACCUSATIONS

ZAGREB, Nov 14 (Hina) - The Croatian Radio and Television (HRT) directorate on Thursday rebutted claims by the Croatian Television (HTV) editor-in-chief that the directorate was interfering in the programme, and described them as incorrect and ill-intended. #L# HTV editor-in-chief Jasna Ulaga-Valic earlier in the day said that HRT director Mirko Galic's request that she explain the reasons for last Sunday's interview with the OSCE advisor on the electronic media in the news broadcast "Dnevnik Plus" was Galic's interference in the programme content. The HRT directorate issued a statement saying its response came after a number of examples which showed that the public was being informed about a working version of the draft act on the HRT in a selective and biased manner, without the confrontation of different opinions on the matter. Therefore, the statement notes, the coverage of the draft's guidelines is reduced to a conflict between politics and the HRT and is perceived exclusively through personal interests. The directorate does not question OSCE official Jakubowicz being interviewed, but it regards as questionable the fact that none of the other participants in the debate on the said law had been offered a chance to expound their stands to the public. "A service was not done to Dr. Jakubowicz either, who was given the inappropriate privilege of commenting on talks the contents of which had not yet been presented to the public," the statement said. The HRT directorate said it very much appreciated the role which the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) had played in the democratisation of the media, and it did not bring into question the possibility for OSCE officials and experts to follow and assess the media situation in Croatia or to be given equal treatment as other participants in HRT programmes. (hina) ms sb