ZAGREB, Dec 16 (Hina) - The Croatian Journalists' Association (HND) on Friday marked the 90th anniversary of its establishment. HND was established on 18 Dec. 1910 and currently numbers 3,500 members. "Journalism's dependence on the
needs of the masses and on political circles (is) dangerous," HND president Dragutin Lucic said. "In the first case because journalism engages in shallowness and the search for sensationalism, and in the other, in the hands of political power-wielders, journalism turns into lies and propaganda." Lucic recalled the words of HND founder Milan Grlovic, who had said "one for all, all for one" to urge the Croatian people and journalists to be united. Voicing hope the government would not wait for final deadlines to resolve journalists' issues, HND Head Committee chairman Oliver Drazic reminded the government had passed a law on state television and radio only on Thursday, a da
ZAGREB, Dec 16 (Hina) - The Croatian Journalists' Association (HND)
on Friday marked the 90th anniversary of its establishment. HND was
established on 18 Dec. 1910 and currently numbers 3,500 members.
"Journalism's dependence on the needs of the masses and on
political circles (is) dangerous," HND president Dragutin Lucic
said. "In the first case because journalism engages in shallowness
and the search for sensationalism, and in the other, in the hands of
political power-wielders, journalism turns into lies and
propaganda."
Lucic recalled the words of HND founder Milan Grlovic, who had said
"one for all, all for one" to urge the Croatian people and
journalists to be united.
Voicing hope the government would not wait for final deadlines to
resolve journalists' issues, HND Head Committee chairman Oliver
Drazic reminded the government had passed a law on state television
and radio only on Thursday, a day ahead of deadline. Laws on the Hina
and telecommunications have yet to be passed, he said.
Parliamentary envoy Zvonimir Sabati said Croatian journalism was
in a time of great trial. Journalists must not abuse their power in
shaping public opinion, and if they act in good faith they represent
a mainstay of the community, he said.
Sabati asserted the media should not be divided into those which
were and those which were not politically suitable, and that the
public was the only one capable of recognising who was acting in
their interest.
Deputy Prime Minister Zeljka Antunovic conceded the government did
not have legislation regulating the journalistic profession. "We
can only make legal frameworks for journalistic activity, but it is
up to the journalists how they will implement them."
She announced the Culture Ministry would form a department for
media policy and legislation.
All speakers at the ceremony reminded of the great role journalists
had played in the key moments of Croatia's creation last decade.
They stressed journalists should not abuse their power in shaping
public opinion.
(hina) ha