Croatia

by Gojko Marinkovic (AIM)

Differentiation in Croatian journalism was accomplished a long time ago mainly on the ideological basis, but, in essence, into those professional ones and the others. It appears that the time has come that this is sanctioned, that Croatian journalistic pluralism is officially recognized such as it already exists on newsstands and increasingly on wavelengths, even on TV screens.

After ``new democrats'' managed to silence ``Danas'' and ``Slobodna Dalmacija,'' take over ``Vjesnik,'' ``Vecernji list,'' and a number of other newspapers, especially local ones, and occupy the radio and the television, a real boom of new media is underway at the moment thanks to the pressure coming from Europe and a number of journalists who refused to become ``new brooms.''

The appearance of ``Feral Tribune,'' the monthly ``Erazmus'' and the privatization of ``Novi list,'' whose employees bought the shares, along with the appearance of ``Arkzin,'' the monthly of the Zagrebbased antiwar campaign (all of which were helped by George Soros) represents the breaking of the media ice. Almost a year ago one could say that things were coming along, whereas it is now clear that things are going well. A dozen dailies and weeklies have emerged over the last several months apart from ``Globus'' which still maintains its supremacy with the largest circulation (200,000 copies).

The time will tell which ones will find a way to the market but one thing is certain: Croatia now has a journalistic market that has enabled some kind of survival to over 600 journalists who have lost their job.

The battle to win over readership has already begun, while the one concerning TV viewers is not in sight yet. According to the Croatian law on public informing everybody has the right to found a private radio or TV station, but the catch is that the law on telecommunications has not been passed yet. Meanwhile, the ruling party avoids announcing a set of conditions under which other television stations would be allowed to work apart from the state Croatian Television (HRTV). It is not known how many frequencies there are in Croatia or what the price of concessions will be, including what those future television stations will be allowed to broadcast.

Besides, several dozen small local television stations are currently working in Croatia: from Zagreb, Osijek, Cakovac, Pula, Vinkovci, all the way to Vodice (the village near Sibenik). They represent the proof that life can no longer be stifled. Some tend to think that something is changing on Croatian Television as well. The fact that Mirko Galic, the former editorinchief of ``Danas'' currently the corespondent of ``Vjesnik'' from Paris and also the youngest recipient of the journalistic award for the achievement in life, was appointed Director of Croatian Television is interpreted as loosening of reins by the ruling party.