ZAGREB, Dec 27 (Hina) - Addressing Croatian reporters at a Christmas and New Year reception in Zagreb on Wednesday, President Stjepan Mesic wished journalists might use freedom of the media to the benefit of truth and in accordance
with their professional criteria.
ZAGREB, Dec 27 (Hina) - Addressing Croatian reporters at a
Christmas and New Year reception in Zagreb on Wednesday, President
Stjepan Mesic wished journalists might use freedom of the media to
the benefit of truth and in accordance with their professional
criteria. #L#
To fight for freedom of the media is not easy, Mesic said, recalling
that he, too, had fought for civil rights and had to face many
adversities because of that. "It is important that what is written
be true, I really do mind when untruths are written... and time
usually denies those who publish wrong theories." "I wish this
would not happen in our media and I wish we had well-argumented
criticism because that is the only way to set things right," Mesic
said.
Speaking about the economic situation, Mesic said the country had
still not reached the point when its production potential would be
set in motion and the number of jobless people was still higher than
the number of the employed. He pointed to the burning problem of
unemployment, which, should it reach the figure of 400,000, would
make it very difficult to conduct a consistent policy.
It is necessary to set the domestic production in motion, Mesic
reiterated, reminding that it was mostly foreign goods that were
offered on the market during this year's, exceptionally
successful, tourist season. We must adopt a development strategy,
carry out the revision of privatisation and correct wrong
privatisation projects, the President said.
Foreign investors are looking for a safe zone and it is up to us to
attract foreign capital now that we have changed the policy, he
said.
"We have to fight for the interests of all citizens and Croatian
state interests... and journalists can give their contribution,
too, by writing objectively," Mesic said, adding he wished for a
constructive cooperation between reporters and his office.
The president of the Croatian Journalists' Association, Dragutin
Lucic, thanked the President on behalf of reporters, offering his
best wishes for the holidays and wishing the President more success
and luck in the coming year.
(hina) rml,