ZAGREB, March 15 (Hina) - The House of Representatives today ended a polemic debate on amendments to the Croatian Radio and TV Act.
ZAGREB, March 15 (Hina) - The House of Representatives today ended
a polemic debate on amendments to the Croatian Radio and TV Act.
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The suggested amendments reduce the number of members of the
Croatian Radio and TV (HRT) Council and introduce a five-member
Supervisory Board, appointed and relieved by the Parliament. The
Supervisory Board is to monitor the running of the HRT Public
Company and see that business is conducted in accordance with law.
The lively and at times heated debate focused on the Croatian
TV news programme which was criticised by many members.
Liberal members viewed the programme as "intolerably bad",
"biased" and "an example of media abuse" which is earning Croatia a
bad name with the Council of Europe.
Social Democrats found fault with the amendments because they
would not help create conditions for the "HRT to take its proper
role in building democracy, which belongs to televisions in other
transition countries."
Istrian Democratic Parliament members proposed that the first
program be run by the ruling party, the second by the Opposition
and the third by regional authorities. The viewer rating would soon
show where the public's preference lay, they contended.
Several HDZ members also called for more order in TV programs.
But it was the HRT's failure to broadcast parliamentary
sessions live that aroused the greatest fervour. The Parliament
Presidency was sharply criticized over its selection of bits of
debate to be broadcast.
Parliament Deputy President Vladimir Seks said the Presidency
only made suggestions and had no power to decide in the matter.
(hina) jn as
151900 MET mar 96