The well-known EU media outlet will now be present in Croatia as well.
Following the success of the Novac.hr website, Hanza Media has decided to launch another ambitious digital project. In partnership with the European network Euractiv, it has presented the Croatian version of the prominent website covering the European Union, reports Jutarnji List on September 6, 2018.
“It seems to us that European stories are not sufficiently represented and we are still unaware that we are citizens of Europe. That is why we will be particularly pleased to tell European stories and see where we are in them, how we can achieve all our rights and opportunities,” explained Goran Ogurlić, the editor-in-chief of Jutarnji List, which is also part of Hanza Media.
In just a few days since the launch, Euractiv.hr has surpassed readership expectations, which shows that the Croatian media had not covered European issues well enough. From now on, readers will be able to find all the information related to the European Union and its member states in one place.
“Citizens do not know what their rights, benefits and obligations are, entrepreneurs find it difficult to get relevant information on how to reach the common market, and most voters do not know anything about European politics which greatly affects the lives of all of us,” said Ivan Fischer, the website’s editor-in-chief.
Euractiv is an independent pan-European media network specializing in EU policy, providing its readers with updated news coverage of European topics in 13 languages. The Croatian edition is designed to inform its readers on daily news about European legislation, political processes, the campaigns ahead of European elections, and EU funds.
“Croatian citizens will finally be informed about European issues. I believe that even those who are not interested in such topics will now ‘stumble upon’ them and develop a certain interest,” said Andrea Metelko Zgombić, the State Secretary at the Foreign Ministry.
This is not the first Croatian attempt to launch a media outlet that would give Croatians insight into developments within the European Union, consultant Daniel Mondekar explained. “It was about time to launch such a website. This is a project which Croatian media has been trying to start for the past 15 years, but Hanza Media is the first to succeed,” he said.
In addition to the editorial staff, the website will employ consultants for EU funds who will inform readers about the complex system and the opportunities which European citizens can use.
Labour and Pension System Minister Marko Pavić said this project was very much needed in Croatia. “Our citizens, especially young people, do not know enough about the Union. For example, in conversations with high school students, I have realized they do not even know who Croatian members of the European Parliament are. I believe that this website will raise awareness about Croatia’s role in the Union,” said the minister.
One of the most delighted with the launch is Branko Baričević, head of the European Commission's Representation in Croatia. “Brussels has always been a negotiating venue for Croatia, a place where somebody was telling us what to do. This outlet will make this city more accessible to us. Croatia will realise that it is really part of Europe and that there is a two-way street in communication,” said Baričević.
Translated from Jutarnji List (reported by Lea Balenović).
