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PM underlines importance of media freedoms at Radio 101 protest anniversary

Author: Roberta Mlinarić

ZAGREB, Nov 25 (Hina) - The 20th anniversary of a protest of support for Zagreb's Radio 101 was marked at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb on Thursday evening, with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic attending.

In a statement for the press, Plenkovic said that to him, as Prime Minister, it was important "that the freedom of the media and expression is treated as a priority, is respected and in line with European standards", and that everyone should be responsible for what they say, stressing that this referred to public figures as well as the media.

The multimedia commemoration, organised by the Nacional weekly and the Croatian Journalists Association (HND), began with the screening of the film "Radio 101 Independence Day" by Vinko Bresan, after which Mayor Milan Bandic addressed those present at the event, saying, in reference to the 1996 protest, that he did not believe that "such a protest, with 100,000 people in (Ban Josip) Jelacic Square" would happen during his lifetime again.

The head of the parliamentary Committee on Informatisation and the Media, Jasen Mesic of the ruling HDZ party, said that the Committee's mission was to ensure the application of European standards in the field of media freedoms.

Zrinka Vrabec Mojzes, who in 1996 was the editor-in-chief of Radio 101, commented for Hina on the protest in the context of media freedoms today.

"The situation for the media is difficult again, they are pressured by the authorities and politicians. Journalists have problems finding a job and it is as difficult as it used to be. It's a pity the public today is not of the kind to rise again," she said.

HND president Sasa Lekovic told Hina that the protest against the shutting down of Radio 101 carried a clear message 20 years after.

"I hope that many will see the film about the demonstrations for Radio 101. It is actually a story of resistance against any stubborn, militant authorities that do not want the media to serve public interest. This is a reminder of what happened as well as a warning to all those who would attempt to do what those in power tried to 20 years ago," said Lekovic.

Attending the event were many public figures and politicians as well as many participants in the 1996 demonstrations, including then minister of the interior Ivan Jarnjak and Zagreb Police Department deputy head Vladimir Faber, former president Stjepan Mesic and former prime minister Jadranka Kosor.

The organisers of the event said that the protest in support of Radio 101 ensued after the then Telecommunications Council, run by the then, HDZ-led government, decided to rescind the operating licence of Radio 101, one of the few independent electronic media outlets that critically reported about the authoritarian way of running the country and violation of civil and media freedoms. That decision led to the culmination of dissatisfaction and rebellion of citizens of different political and ideological views, they said.

"At the invitation of the Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, 120,000 citizens gathered in Ban Josip Jelacic Square with candles in their hands, showing how powerful and influential a relatively small media outlet can be if it truly represents citizens' interests, has just goals and the unwavering will to fight for its editorial independence," said the organisers.

The biggest demonstrations in Croatia's more recent history saved Radio 101, which, owing to unprecedented support of the national and international public, managed to protect the autonomy of its ownership structure and editorial policy, the organisers said.

(Hina) rml

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