ZAGREB, Oct 25 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament passed a new law on the Croatian News Agency (Hina) by a majority vote on Thursday. The law regulates Hina's transformation into a public institution.
ZAGREB, Oct 25 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament passed a new law on
the Croatian News Agency (Hina) by a majority vote on Thursday.
The law regulates Hina's transformation into a public
institution.#L#
Hina will be able to act autonomously, except in extraordinary
circumstances.
Under the bill, the agency will become a legal entity and be given
the right to own the currently state-owned real estate it has had at
its disposal so far. The founder of Hina is the Republic of
Croatia.
"Hina acts in line with the principle of independent, unbiased and
professionally agency reporting", read general regulations of the
new law.
"Hina must not be exposed to any influence which could jeopardise
its accuracy, objectivity or the credibility of its information."
The law also regulates Hina's internal organisation. The agency
will be managed by a five-member steering council, composed of one
Hina employee, and one media, legal, financial and information
expert and a director.
Also adopted was a proposal of the Social Democratic Party under
which Hina's Steering Council will be appointed at the government's
proposal, instead of at the proposal of the Committee on the
Constitution, Rule Book and the Political System, as suggested
initially.
The steering council would be appointed by the parliament upon
completed public competition.
Also upon completed competition, the steering council will appoint
Hina's director and editor-in-chief.
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