ZAGREB, July 8 (Hina) - Although they started Thursday's meeting arguing, members of the interparty working group for amendments to the act on the Croatian Radio and Television (HRT) proposed a series of concrete proposals with the
aim to transform the Croatian television into public television. The talks were led by Jadranka Kosor and Drago Krpina on behalf of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union and Djurdja Adlesic (of the Croatian Social and Liberal Party, HSLS) and Mato Arlovic (of the Social Democratic Party, SDP) on behalf of the Opposition Six. Today's meeting also revolved around the composition of the HRT Council. The group's members who are opposition representatives suggested the establishment of a special committee for making the work of the HRT accessible to the general public. The Opposition Six also proposed that the number of HRT Council be cut down so that not so many politic
ZAGREB, July 8 (Hina) - Although they started Thursday's meeting
arguing, members of the interparty working group for amendments to
the act on the Croatian Radio and Television (HRT) proposed a series
of concrete proposals with the aim to transform the Croatian
television into public television.
The talks were led by Jadranka Kosor and Drago Krpina on behalf of
the ruling Croatian Democratic Union and Djurdja Adlesic (of the
Croatian Social and Liberal Party, HSLS) and Mato Arlovic (of the
Social Democratic Party, SDP) on behalf of the Opposition Six.
Today's meeting also revolved around the composition of the HRT
Council.
The group's members who are opposition representatives suggested
the establishment of a special committee for making the work of the
HRT accessible to the general public.
The Opposition Six also proposed that the number of HRT Council be
cut down so that not so many politicians (MPs) be there. According
to its proposal, one deputy of the ruling party and one deputy of the
opposition should be members of the council. Krpina, however,
remarked that the HDZ could not see serious reasons for changes in
the composition of the HRT Council, but his party would consider
proposals of the Opposition Six.
Krpina added that he could not understand why the opposition shied
away from members of parliament in the HRT Council, in respect with
the fact that they were elected in accordance to the will of
citizens.
The HDZ negotiators agreed with a proposal of the opposition that
representatives of employers and trade unions be included into the
HRT Council.
Krpina stressed that the HDZ could not see why it would be necessary
to amend the HRT act, but believed that in principle they could
consider the extension of authority of the HRT Council. This body
should receive additional authority in the field of TV fees as well
as in financial operations of the Croatian Radio and Television, he
added.
Jadranka Kosor called on the opposition to send their deputies to
tomorrow's session of the HRT Council as a sign of their good will,
as representatives of opposition parties have been absent from
these sessions for some time.
Mato Arlovic's proposal for the special committee for making the
HRT work more accessible to the general public attracted a lot of
attention. This committee should exist, besides the Council, the
Supervisory Board, and the HRT management.
The committee will consist of no more than five members - eminent
experts and non-party members. They will be appointed by two thirds
of votes of the Sabor members, whereas the committee will be
financed by the state budget in order to be independent from
television influence.
One of its tasks will be to monitor how much the television and radio
fulfil their roles as public institutions.
Krpina described this idea as interesting, adding that in this way
they would get a body which would be in charge of the publicity of
the programme and which would help remove doubts about the work of
the HRT Council.
(hina) jn ms