Saying that mass protest rallies staged on 21 November 1996 in Zagreb's central Ban Jelacic square to save Radio 101 from losing its frequency concession did not only save Radio 101 but also free and critical public speech, democratic development, freedom of the media and the journalistic profession.
Antunovic said that marking the anniversary was the best occasion to publicly speak about the state of the media in Croatia and about the democratic, political and ownership climate which the media work in.
She said that special attention should be attached to state, namely publicly-owned media such as Hina, Vjesnik daily and Croatian Radio and Television.
In the cases of these media political pressure on the democratic and professional freedoms of reporters is growing, Antunovic said.
According to her, Hina's management structures were undermined, the result of which is a less professional attitude of the agency. She also stressed that Vjesnik was under the influence of the ruling party.
"Croatian Radio and Television is exposed to all forms of political pressure and regardless of efforts invested in the defence of professional freedoms and independence, the strengthening of the function of the public medium falls into the background," Antunovic said, adding that the government was responsible for this situation.