HRT CODE COMMISSION DISMISSED HDZ REQUEST LATIN, GALIC REPLACEMENT

ZAGREB, Oct 11 (Hina) - The commission for the implementation of the work and conduct code of Croatian Radio Television (HRT) employees on Thursday dismissed a request by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) for the replacement of the editor of the "Latinica" show, Denis Latin, and HRT director Mirko Galic for broadcasting the "Oluja nad Krajinom" (Storm over Krajina) documentary. The commission said the request had no grounds and that the HDZ "is using a threatening tone to instigate lynching and (is) manipulating the public for their narrow political interests." In today's statement, the commission said it dismissed "the harsh political pressure" by the HDZ on the HRT included in an Oct. 2 statement the party issued when the "Latinica" show broadcast "Oluja nad Krajinom". According to the HDZ, the film is based on "scandalous standpoints on the Homeland Defence War" and aims to "discourage Croatian war veterans and weaken the will of the Croatian people to defend state interests." The HDZ thus demanded that Galic and Latin resign. The commission maintains the HDZ request is unjustified due to the fact that the strongest opposition party was properly represented in the show, whereby basic standards of the journalist profession were fulfilled. The commission has established that the show did not violate the work and conduct code's regulations and that, by broadcasting the most sensitive topics, the HRT is being transformed into a European public television. The commission stressed the HDZ's call on citizens not to pay television subscription fee was a public call to break the law. The commission also warned the HDZ it would be liable for any tragic events that might occur as a consequence of individual and direct threats, and that it was endangering the health and lives of HRT's staff. (hina) it/ha sb