ZAGREB, Jan 18 (Hina) - Croatia's press publishers on Monday demanded the payment of a US$1.6 million debt owed them by the "Tisak" distributing company by January 25. In the contrary, they said they would consider their contracts
with "Tisak" on the distribution and selling of the press terminated. Due to irregular payments for sold press, "Tisak", which distributes some 75 percent of all daily and other printed media in Croatia, has brought Croatia's press in a difficult financial situation. The media are unable to pay their debts to publishers who have announced they would stop printing newspapers and magazines. "Hrvatska Tiskara" warned the publishers it would stop printing their newspapers and weeklies if it failed to settle its debts by January 22. Similar warnings have been sent by other printers. The publishers say most dailies, weeklies, and monthlies will disappear from the market, includi
ZAGREB, Jan 18 (Hina) - Croatia's press publishers on Monday
demanded the payment of a US$1.6 million debt owed them by the
"Tisak" distributing company by January 25. In the contrary, they
said they would consider their contracts with "Tisak" on the
distribution and selling of the press terminated.
Due to irregular payments for sold press, "Tisak", which
distributes some 75 percent of all daily and other printed media in
Croatia, has brought Croatia's press in a difficult financial
situation. The media are unable to pay their debts to publishers who
have announced they would stop printing newspapers and magazines.
"Hrvatska Tiskara" warned the publishers it would stop printing
their newspapers and weeklies if it failed to settle its debts by
January 22. Similar warnings have been sent by other printers.
The publishers say most dailies, weeklies, and monthlies will
disappear from the market, including 'Jutarnji list', 'Vjesnik',
'Sportske novosti', 'Globus', 'Nacional', 'Arena', 'Mila',
'Glorija', 'Teen', 'Cosmopolitan', 'Auto blic', 'Auto klub',
'Vita', 'Playboy', 'Vecernji list', 'Novi list', 'Slobodna
Dalmacija', 'Glas Istre', 'Feral Tribune', 'Glas Slavonije'.
According to the head of management at Europa Press Holding,
Ninoslav Pavic, the publishers showed a high degree of solidarity
at a Monday meeting with "Tisak's" head of management Chris
Bojanovic.
The publishers agreed to discontinue releasing their press in case
a paper or magazine was stopped being printed.
Due to the seriousness of the issue, the publishers seek talks with
the government or the Croatian President, Pavic said.
Bojanovic acquainted them with a "Tisak" restructuring plan. He
said "Tisak" had a restructuring model, adding following were
crucial talks with the Premier.
The publishers will be presented with a debt payment model at a
meeting scheduled for Thursday, he added.
According to Ivan Bozicevic, director of the daily "Vjesnik", the
publishers are organising two negotiating teams. One would
negotiate with "Tisak's" owner, while the other would consider the
possibility of alternative distribution.
The Monday publishers' meeting was attended by all except the
publishers of 'Feral Tribune'.
(hina) ha jn