ZAGREB, Sept 18 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's Committee on the Constitution, Rule Book and Political System on Tuesday formulated a bill on the Croatian news agency Hina and forwarded it as its sponsor into parliamentary
procedure. Committee chairman Mato Arlovic said the bill envisaged the establishment of Hina as a public and independent institution, meaning it would cease to be a state agency. Under the bill, the agency would have the obligation to operate as a public institution only in cases of natural disasters, epidemics, other extraordinary circumstances or war. Instead of its current financing with budgetary funds, the agency would acquire business funds through contracts with its clients, including the state as its founder. The Government and Hina's Steering Council would sign a contract on the use of Hina services by mutual agreement and the agency will continue to be financed the way it is finan
ZAGREB, Sept 18 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's Committee on the
Constitution, Rule Book and Political System on Tuesday formulated
a bill on the Croatian news agency Hina and forwarded it as its
sponsor into parliamentary procedure.
Committee chairman Mato Arlovic said the bill envisaged the
establishment of Hina as a public and independent institution,
meaning it would cease to be a state agency.
Under the bill, the agency would have the obligation to operate as a
public institution only in cases of natural disasters, epidemics,
other extraordinary circumstances or war.
Instead of its current financing with budgetary funds, the agency
would acquire business funds through contracts with its clients,
including the state as its founder.
The Government and Hina's Steering Council would sign a contract on
the use of Hina services by mutual agreement and the agency will
continue to be financed the way it is financed now until this
contract is signed.
The bill gives Hina the opportunity to manage its property, whereby
the agency's central office in Zagreb's Marulic Square ceases being
state property.
The interests of the state, as the agency's founder, are protected
by regulations which prevent the initiating of bankruptcy
proceedings without previous consent of the parliament.
The bill also regulates the agency's internal organisation, with
the editor-in-chief and director being appointed by a five-member
Steering Board, which would be appointed by parliament.
The procedure of appointing the Steering Board would be initiated
by a competent parliamentary committee which would invite
applications. One member of the Steering Board would be nominated
by the agency's Council of Employees while other members would be
nominated from among economic, financial, legal and media experts.
State or party officials would not be able to become members of the
Steering Board.
Within 60 days from the law on Hina going into force, the parliament
would have to appoint the Steering Board, which would have to adopt
the agency's statute, invite applications and appoint the director
in 90 days.
The agency's editor-in-chief would be appointed by the Steering
Board on the basis of public competition and at the proposal of the
director and previous consent of Hina journalists.
Arlovic expressed hope the bill would be discussed by the
parliament at its session which should begin tomorrow, or at the
October session at the latest.
(hina) rml