Mass media in Croatia

Mass media in Croatia refers to television, magazines, and newspapers based in the country. These outlets are run by both government-owned and private companies and make money through advertising, subscriptions, and sales. The Constitution of Croatia protects freedom of speech, and Croatia was ranked 63rd in the 2016 Press Freedom Index report by Reporters Without Borders.

In television, the government-funded Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT) was the only national broadcaster until the late 1990s. After that, private companies were allowed to get licenses to broadcast. The first private national channel, Nova TV, started in 2000, followed by RTL in 2004. Both are owned by companies from other countries.

In newspapers, big companies like Europapress Holding and Styria Media Group control most of the top papers, such as Jutarnji list, Večernji list, and 24sata. There are also other popular papers like Novi list and the government-owned Vjesnik. Weekly magazines like Globus are also widely read.

Croatia’s film industry is small but supported by the government, which gives money through the Ministry of Culture. The ministry also helps run film festivals like the Pula Film Festival, Animafest, and ZagrebDox.

The internet is widely used in Croatia, with about 63% of people having access at home in 2012.

History

In May 1990, after Franjo Tuđman won an election, he and his party, the Croatian Democratic Union, started taking control of radio and television stations in Croatia. Soon after, in June 1990, the Parliament of Croatia changed the name of the national broadcaster to Croatian Radiotelevision. During this time, the government used media to create tension among different groups of people during the Yugoslav wars.

After Tudjman passed away in 1999 and his party lost an election in 2000, the media in Croatia started to change and become more open. In the early 1990s, groups like the Croatian Journalists' Association and companies such as Europapress Holding played important roles in shaping the media. Some stations, like Radio 101, also changed how they operated over time.

Legislative framework

The Constitution of Croatia protects freedom of expression and freedom of the press, bans censorship, and guarantees the rights of journalists to report and to access information. It also guarantees the right to correction if legal rights are violated by published news.

The media in Croatia follow several laws, including the Law on Media and the Law on Electronic Media. These laws make sure media follows rules set by the European Union. Some rules are about what counts as harmful speech, and there are ways for people to ask for corrections if they feel wrongly reported about. There are also rules about who can own media companies and how much they can own.

Media outlets

Croatia has many ways to get news, like TV, newspapers, and the internet. Most of these are owned either by the government or by companies that sell ads. People watch TV, read papers, or go online to learn what’s happening.

Croatia has over 800 newspapers and magazines. Some big ones are Jutarnji list, Večernji list, Slobodna Dalmacija, and Novi list. There are also many smaller papers in different areas of the country. Magazines cover many topics, from news to arts, and there are also foreign magazines like Cosmopolitan and National Geographic.

There are many radio stations too—about 158 in total. Some are run by the government, and others are private. Most play music, with some news in between.

Television is the most popular way to get news. There are 31 TV channels, with the main one being HTV, run by the government. Other channels like Nova TV and RTL are private. Local TV stations also exist in cities like Zagreb and Split.

The internet is also popular. Many people in Croatia use it to read news, share ideas, and stay connected. Websites like Google, Net.hr, and Index.hr are very popular. Social media like Facebook and Twitter are used by many people to talk about important issues.

See also: List of Croatian newspapers and List of Croatian magazines See also: List of radio stations in Croatia Main article: Television in Croatia Main article: Cinema of Croatia Main article: Internet in Croatia

Concentration of media ownership

See also: Transparency of media ownership in Croatia

Different groups and companies own the newspapers, TV stations, and other media in Croatia. Laws help make sure no single group controls too much of what people see and hear. These laws come from groups like the Council of Europe and from Croatia's own rules made after 2000.

Even with these laws, some big companies still have a lot of control over Croatia's media. For example, just a few big companies own most of the TV, radio, and online news. This can make it hard for different ideas and opinions to be heard. Some of these big companies are from other countries, while others are owned by people living in Croatia.

Media organisations

News agencies

Croatia has a main news agency called HINA, which is owned by the government. It was started in 1991 and shares 300 news stories every day with other media in the country. HINA makes its news services fair and easy to afford for everyone. Big news companies from other countries, like Associated Press, Agence France Press, and Reuters, also work in Croatia, but their services cost too much for local media to use often.

There are also smaller news groups, such as IKA, which is owned by the Catholic Church, and STINA, a private group that focuses on telling stories about different groups and smaller areas.

Trade unions

The Croatian Journalists' Association brings together most journalists in Croatia, with over 3,000 members. It was created in 1910 and works to protect journalists’ rights. Even though many jobs in printing have gone away, the group still helps journalists today. In 2015, another group called Croatian Journalists and Publicists was formed, but it has fewer members and is known for supporting strong opinions.

Other groups include the Croatian Association of Radio Stations and Newspapers, which has many radio stations and newspapers, and groups that bring together publishers and television stations.

Regulatory authorities

Croatia has a group called the Electronic Media Agency that gives out licenses for television and radio stations. This agency makes sure that all broadcasting follows the rules set by the government. The country’s laws protect free speech and stop anyone from controlling what people hear or see.

Attacks and threats against journalists

Sometimes, journalists face problems or threats for their work. While things have gotten better, some journalists still have trouble sharing their stories. Courts are now taking these threats more seriously. Sadly, some journalists have faced danger for their reports on important topics.

Political and economic interferences

Journalists in Croatia sometimes feel pressure from politics or business owners. This can make it hard for them to tell stories freely. Some media companies are owned by wealthy people who might want certain stories told in a certain way. This can lead journalists to change their work to please those in charge.

Civil defamation lawsuits

Journalists in Croatia sometimes face lawsuits for saying things that others don’t like. This can make it hard for them to share important information without fear of being sued.

Smear campaigns

Sometimes, leaders try to hurt a journalist’s reputation when they don’t like what they are reporting. This can make it hard for journalists to keep sharing the truth.

Freedom on the internet

People in Croatia must be careful when sharing their opinions online. Some have faced trouble for saying things about police or leaders on social media. Groups that watch over free speech have asked for these rules to change so people can share their ideas without fear.