MESIC'S CAMPAIGNING HEADQUARTERS: HTV FAVOURS GRANIC AND BUDISA

ZAGREB, Jan 6 (Hina)- The campaigning headquarters of Stipe Mesic, presidential candidate proposed by the Opposition Four coalition consisting of HSS (the Croatian Peasants' Party), HNS (the Croatian People's Party), LS (the Liberal Party) and IDS (the Istrian Democratic Assembly), on Thursday criticised the information programme "Motrista", broadcast by the Croatian Television on late Wednesday night. The headquarters said the show favoured presidential candidates - Mate Granic of the HDZ and Drazen Budisa of the HSLS and SDP coalition - and treated Mesic in an unfair and unprofessional manner. The soundtrack of Mesic's statement was not clearly audible and TV audience could not hear what Mesic was speaking. In addition, time duration of Mesic's statement aired by "Motrista" was shorter compared to time given to other presidential candidates, the headquarters said complaining about unprofessional coverage of Mesic's statement. This was not the case with other candidates and this also has great impact on the audience, it concluded. Such conduct of the Croatian Television is a reason for concern about its coverage of the electioneering in the run-up to the presidential ballot, Mesic's headquarters warned. (hina) ms