CROATIAN JOURNALISTS ADOPT RESOLUTION

ZAGREB, Nov 2 (Hina) - Croatian reporters adopted a Resolution at the Days of Croatian Journalism held last week, requesting that the media serve the public, not politicians and interest groups. Aware of the importance of the media in the development of a democratic society, particularly in the electoral year, reporters stressed in the Resolution that the Croatian Radio and Television (HRT) which is co-financed by mandatory subscriptions, must function as a public medium, that is, as the ownership of all citizens. Notwithstanding the orientation of a certain medium, news must be edited without bias in content, placement and form. In order for the media to perform their basic task professionally and fairly, they must use all journalistic genres, especially direct confrontation of candidates. The HRT should continue to award free airing time for the electoral representation of parties. The time quota must be based on the percentage of votes won at the last elections, and parties should be given the possibility of free decision on the content and means of representation in such shows, the Resolution stressed. A paid electoral campaign in the media should not be accepted as quick and easy profit, but as one way of pre-electoral informing of citizens. Paid political advertisements should be precisely and strictly restricted on the public television. The Croatian Journalists' Society called on media owners to protect reporters during the election campaign from possible political and other pressures which could be used to prevent them from performing their job professionally. The Society will carefully follow the process via special commissions for electoral campaign supervision.. (hina) lml jn