OSCE SEEKS ALLEVIATION OF PRESSURE ON INDEPENDENT MEDIA IN CROATIA

ZAGREB, Nov 20 (Hina) - Croatia should urgently take steps to alleviate economic and legal pressures on certain newspapers which bring them on the verge of financial collapse, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe Mission in Croatia said in a statement on Friday. "Direct censorship is not the only way of muzzling a free and independent press. Media can also be stifled through economic and legal means", said the statement. "For example, the Tisak company - which is Croatia's biggest distribution company for printed media - has repeatedly withheld some of the sales revenue that is owed to certain newspapers. The selective withholding of such revenue amounts to a form of pressure which is widely, and inevitably, perceived as having political motivation." The Mission further said that "some newspapers are being financially drained by huge fines, imposed as a result of many defamation lawsuits that have been brought by officials of the Government and members of the governing party or their families." Given the number and size of these fines, as well as the identity of the plaintiffs, there was again a widespread perception that political motives were involved, the statement further said. "The media have a vital role to play in democratic societies. If comprehensive information and a diversity of views are not available to the public through the media, then the quality and responsibility of political life are bound to suffer," the Mission concluded. (hina) ha jn