MEDIA DON'T TREAT ALL PARTIES EQUALLY - SAYS HHO RESEARCH

ZAGREB, Dec 29 (Hina) - The Croatian Helsinki Committee (HHO) and the Transition and Civic Society Research Centre on Wednesday briefed the press in Zagreb on the results of a research of the presence political parties and representatives of the authorities and NGOs received in the media between December 14 and 25. The research showed the media did not treat political parties equally. The two organisations assessed as significant the fact that the National Electoral Commission did not reproach the media for this attitude. The research analysed the amount of time parties were given on Croatian Television's (HTV) first and second channel, OTV shows, Croatian Radio's (HR) first programme, and Radio 101, as well as the amount of coverage they received in the dailies "Vjesnik", "Vecernji List", "Jutarnji List", "Slobodna Dalmacija", "Novi List", and "Glas Slavonije". As regards HTV and OTV shows, Branimir Kristofic of the Research Centre said the biggest disproportion was noticed in the time parties were given in paid slots. He added this referred to commercials and talk-shows sponsored by the parties themselves. The analysis showed that out of 439 features, the ruling HDZ participated in 130, whereas the opposition's Social Democratic Party/Croatian Social Liberal Party coalition did so in 68. Differences were also noticed in editorials in which HDZ candidates appeared in their government functions. Over 12 days of pre- electoral campaigning, 30 percent of time on-the-air went to HDZ officials. According to Branislava Baranovic, the ruling HDZ was allotted the most time on-the-air on HR and Radio 101. The HDZ had twice as many commercials as opposition parties on HR, but none on Radio 101. As regards the daily press, Alija Hodzic said the HDZ was given dominant space in "Vjesnik", "Vecernji List", and "Glas Slavonije", and less coverage than opposition parties in "Jutarnji List" and "Novi List". (hina) ha mm