Tomislav MamićChallenges with media financing
The Croatian Journalists' Association (HND) has been actively addressing various challenges in media financing and advocating for solutions. Their efforts have highlighted significant issues and proposed models to improve the media landscape in Croatia.
One of the critical concerns raised by the HND is the repressive draft media law, which they and other organizations like the European Federation of Journalists consider a threat to journalism and freedom of expression in Croatia. This draft law includes propositions such as a ban on journalists criticizing courts and state attorneys’ offices, mandatory disclosure of journalistic sources to editors, and a model for establishing the Council for Media that may jeopardize the independence of media regulators. Such measures could severely restrict the rights of journalists and impose undue control over media content (source).
The media landscape in Croatia has also been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic factors. Croatian news publishers have struggled with declining advertising revenues and a shift in advertising to internet and TV. Major changes in media ownership and the structure of telecom and cable operators, allowing them to supply their own content, have raised concerns about the editorial impact of these changes (source).
Additionally, the HND has reported a worrying trend of increasing lawsuits against journalists and media outlets. As of a 2021 survey, there were 924 active lawsuits, predominantly civil cases for alleged violations of honor and reputation, as well as some criminal lawsuits. This situation highlights the judicial pressures faced by media professionals in Croatia, with lawsuits often serving as a means to intimidate journalists and discourage investigative reporting (source).
In response to these challenges, the HND, supported by local authorities like the mayors of Zagreb and Split, has been working on models for transparent and fair financing of local media. These models aim to reduce the dependency of local media on local politics and advertisers, ensuring that local media can contribute to informing citizens without being influenced by local authorities (source).
Furthermore, the HND and the Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers of Croatia have called for media reforms and protections. They have highlighted the need for a quality media strategy, new media laws, journalism funds, and measures to ensure freedom of expression and adherence to European values. This call for reform is grounded in the recognition of the essential role that free and independent media play, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 crisis (source).
In summary, the Croatian media landscape faces challenges such as potential restrictive laws, economic pressures, increasing lawsuits against journalists, and the influence of media ownership changes. The HND's efforts in advocating for transparent media financing models and calling for media reforms are crucial steps towards addressing these issues and promoting a freer and more independent media environment in Croatia.
Analysis and new funding models
The project "Local Media Financing Models" by the Croatian Journalists' Association (HND), in collaboration with the Union of Croatian Journalists (SNH), aimed to establish transparent funding mechanisms for local media. Supported by the Active Citizen Fund, it sought to strengthen media capacities and journalism through independent public support mechanisms. The project developed specific financing models for small, medium, and large local governments, addressing the need for quality journalism and the transparent allocation of public funds. These models were designed to enhance the independence of local media and improve journalistic quality【source】.