ZAGREB, Feb 3 (Hina) - The results of monitoring of the presidential campaigning in the Croatian media between 8 and 24 January, conducted by sociologists at the Centre for Research in Transition and Civil Society and the Croatian
Helsinki Committee indicate that a positive change has occurred in the media. Compared to results during the presidential campaign in 1997, research indicates that these are the first elections where candidates have been given equal access to the media (TV, radio and daily papers). There has been a positive change in the media themselves, which for example in the daily press has been expressed in the "downfall of differences between regime and non-regime". Circumstances in Croatia are now the way they should have been ten years ago, sociologist Alija Hodzic said presenting research results to journalists on Thursday. "Now, we are facing a period of freedom and rational approach th
ZAGREB, Feb 3 (Hina) - The results of monitoring of the presidential
campaigning in the Croatian media between 8 and 24 January,
conducted by sociologists at the Centre for Research in Transition
and Civil Society and the Croatian Helsinki Committee indicate that
a positive change has occurred in the media.
Compared to results during the presidential campaign in 1997,
research indicates that these are the first elections where
candidates have been given equal access to the media (TV, radio and
daily papers). There has been a positive change in the media
themselves, which for example in the daily press has been expressed
in the "downfall of differences between regime and non-regime".
Circumstances in Croatia are now the way they should have been ten
years ago, sociologist Alija Hodzic said presenting research
results to journalists on Thursday. "Now, we are facing a period of
freedom and rational approach that should have started in 1990 in
Croatia", Hodzic said.
He explained that presidential candidates are now being presented
within a rational framework and voters are now faced with "the
difficult task of freedom," because now they are rationally
considering their choice and not going on simple instinct.
Commenting on a telephone opinion poll conducted by Croatian Radio
Television (HTV) in the second round of the presidential campaign,
sociologists stressed that these could not be taken as trustworthy
and were only a sample token. Croatia does not have a law which would
regulate the publishing of such opinion polls just prior to
elections as these could influence voters.
The research project: "The Media and the Presidential Elections
2000" was conducted within a "Non-government Organisation
Monitoring the Elections" campaign the results of which were
presented to the press by Branislav Baranovic, Branimir Kristofic
and Alija Hodzic.
Kristofic commented on the equal participation of both candidates
on television programmes.
Analysing radio advertising, Baranovic stressed that both
candidates were given equal air time.
(hina) sp