JOURNALISTS' UNION ASSEMBLY AGAINST ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW UNION IN SLOBODNA DALMACIJA

SIBENIK, June 2 (Hina) - The Croatian Trade Union of Journalists (SNH) assembly, held in Sibenik on Saturday, was overshadowed by a conflict in the 'Slobodna Dalmacija' daily. Deciding about a complaint lodged by 25 Slobodna Dalmacija reporters, who have sought SNH's protection due to "the alarming violation of basic journalists' rights" in the daily, the assembly unanimously adopted conclusions saying "the reporters who believe that they have been deprived of their rights must first address the union commissioner for Slobodna Dalmacija, Davorka Blazevic." Dissatisfied with recent replacements in the editorial board, the appointment of a new editor-in-chief and with the work of the new editorial board of the Split-based daily, part of Slobodna Dalmacija journalists on Wednesday established an Initiative Committee of Slobodna Dalmacija Journalists. The Committee sent the SNH Executive Committee and Assembly a letter objecting to "the alarming violation of basic journalists' freedoms and professional rights," and called for the protection of those institutions. Union commissioner Davorka Blazevic said the initiative for the establishment of a new journalists' union was prompted "exclusively by the desire to save one's own positions." She also dismissed claims about the violation of rights of some journalists working in Slobodna Dalmacija. The HNS assembly adopted a report on HNS activities and a draft national collective agreement harmonising the rights of all Croatian journalists and media workers, which will be the basis for negotiations with employers. (hina) sb rml