CROATIAN TELEVISION DISMISSES ACCUSATIONS BY OPPOSITION SIX

ZAGREB, Feb 5 (Hina) - Croatian Radio and Television (HRT) is surprised at the statement by six Opposition parties expressing dissatisfaction with the way HRT is covering their activities, primarily because of the lack of arguments for the claims they presented. The Opposition Six claim that while reporting about a parliament discussion on the election of Milan Vukovic as a Constitutional Court judge, the HRT news programme "Motrista" showed only the part of the discussion with exclusively Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) parliamentary bench representatives speaking. On the contrary, the HRT said, the editor of the "Motrisa" programme in her extended report very clearly interpreted the views of the Opposition Six, presented during the discussion, while the views of the ruling HDZ party were presented in audio coverage that followed. "Our being silent on anyone's views is, therefore, out of the question", the HRT said adding that in the news broadcast in question the Opposition had 11 audio segments, while the ruling party had seven. "We are surprised, because despite that fact the Opposition Six is expressing dissatisfaction, although they nominally advocate a balanced approach. The HRT expresses regret that the Opposition Six had presented their protest publicly before they discussed their objections with competent persons at the HRT". The HRT management has invited Opposition representatives for talks next week, in order to resolve possible misunderstandings and disagreement. (hina) jn rml