CRO TELEVISION TO HAVE PROGRAM AT ALL CHANNELS AROUND THE CLOCK

ZAGREB, Sept 16 (Hina) - As of October 1, the Croatian television (HTV) will begin broadcasting programmes around the clock at all three channels. It will also broadcast programmes via a satellite from 18:30 to 24:00 hours every day which owners of digital receivers will be able to watch. The director of the Croatia Radio and Television (HRT), Ivica Vrkic, and the HTV editor-in-chief, Obrad Kosovac, on Thursday informed journalists about a new programme scheme. Vrkic said the subscription fee would remain same adding that television belonged neither to the (ruling) Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) nor to the Social and Democratic Party (SDP) but it is for the audience that pays the subscription. Vrkic added that the HRT would continue transforming itself in order to contribute to the development of a free Croatian society under conditions of the strong Croatian state. The basic duty of the HTV is to promote Croatian programmes as well as to protect the Croatian identity, Kosovac said. Rumours on de- politicising of the HTV are pointless, Kosovac said explaining that new talk shows would serve as the voice of the people. Commenting on the demand of the Opposition Six that he should resign, Kosovac replied that there were always wishes as well as that after his departure a new good editor will take over. The HRT Council chairman, Zlatko Canjuga, announced that the Council will forward a draft rules for the coverage of the run-up to coming elections to the Croatian national Sabor that is to decide on this matter. (hina) jn ms