ZAGREB, July 17 (Hina) - Transparency International Croatia (TIH) said on Thursday Croatia would be faced with a flood of criminal charges against journalists unless a Penal Code provision on slander was changed.
ZAGREB, July 17 (Hina) - Transparency International Croatia (TIH)
said on Thursday Croatia would be faced with a flood of criminal
charges against journalists unless a Penal Code provision on
slander was changed. #L#
Recent amendments to the Penal Code under which journalists are no
longer exempt from liability for slander facilitate the
prosecution, pressing of charges against and punishment of
journalists, TIH said.
Unless that provision is changed, Croatia will face a flood of
criminal charges against journalists, which is certainly not
conducive to freedom of the media, said TIH.
Under the amended Penal Code, journalists will be held to account
also if they put out public statements and information if it is
proved that they deliberately put out untruths.
Commenting on a draft media law, TIH assessed as scandalous a
provision under which a public body of authority or state official
can refuse to give information to the press without any
explanation.
Information availability is a prerequisite for combating
corruption and the provision above is in complete contrast to the
draft law on the right to the availability of information, TIH
said.
(hina) ha sb