'OPPOSITION SIX' SAYS CROATIAN TV MISUSED IN FAVOUR OF RULING PARTY

ZAGREB, Oct 4 (Hina) - Representatives of the Opposition Six said in a Monday statement regarding Croatian Television (HRT) that, since mid-September until the beginning of October, "there were several evident examples of misuse of media time in favour of the ruling party". The statement emphasises that during this period, activities conducted by parties in the 'Opposition Six' were given disproportionate coverage compared to the information regarding activities conducted by the ruling party. As an example, the press release notes the News broadcast of September 22 regarding the agreement between the HSS and the "Porec Group". The statement also notes that the "favourite topic of HRT journalists", when the 'Opposition Six' was in question, was "the divisions between individual parties". Representatives of the 'Opposition Six' demanded that during the pre-election campaign, events characterised as state protocol be not used as propaganda for the ruling party. They also demanded that HRT programmes should give opposition parties the same opportunities to present themselves as the ruling party, the press release says. The 'Opposition Six' includes the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Liberal Party (LS), the Croatian Peoples' Party (HNS), the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), and the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS). (hina) sp/ha