ZAGREB, Oct 20 (Hina) - The House of Counties of the Croatian Sabor +(national parliament) on Tuesday endorsed the Final Bill on changes +to the Croatian Radio-Television Law, proposed by the +parliamentary bench of the ruling
Croatian Democratic Union +(HDZ).+ According to the final bill, HRT would be a public television with +three channels, and the possibility for a fourth channel's +concession.+ Opposition benches objected to the bill. The principal remark was +that the suggested solutions were to the benefit of the ruling party +which, they said, would continue controlling television, the most +important medium.+ Corroborating that television is the strongest medium is the fact +that during the debate not one representative mentioned Croatian +Radio and its three channels, also covered by the final bill.+ The suggested changes to the HRT Law were explained by HDZ's +Jadranka Kosor, who said the idea of pr
ZAGREB, Oct 20 (Hina) - The House of Counties of the Croatian Sabor
(national parliament) on Tuesday endorsed the Final Bill on changes
to the Croatian Radio-Television Law, proposed by the
parliamentary bench of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union
(HDZ).
According to the final bill, HRT would be a public television with
three channels, and the possibility for a fourth channel's
concession.
Opposition benches objected to the bill. The principal remark was
that the suggested solutions were to the benefit of the ruling party
which, they said, would continue controlling television, the most
important medium.
Corroborating that television is the strongest medium is the fact
that during the debate not one representative mentioned Croatian
Radio and its three channels, also covered by the final bill.
The suggested changes to the HRT Law were explained by HDZ's
Jadranka Kosor, who said the idea of privatising the third
television channel had been abandoned, but a concession for a
fourth one had been suggested.
The HRT Council would be a 23-member body, including ten Lower House
representatives, in proportion with party representation, while
the rest would come from certain institutions and professional
associations.
All members would be appointed by the Sabor.
Both the opposition and the HDZ objected to the fact that the House
of Counties would not be represented at the HRT Council.
The opposition also objected to the final bill's provision that HRT
Council members are to be appointed by the Sabor, stating that as
the majority party in the Sabor, the HDZ would politically
influence the Council.
According to the HDZ-proposed final bill, the HRT Council would
establish a programme direction, supervise work, and approve the
budget at the administration's suggestion.
The radio and television fee would also be established by the HRT
administration, with the Council and the government stating their
opinions, said Kosor.
At the director's suggestion, the HRT Council would also appoint
radio and television editors-in-chief on the basis of a public
competition. The editors could be party members, but not party
officials.
(hina) ha jn