ZAGREB, February 27, 2019 - The national broadcaster, Croatian Radio Television (HRT), on Tuesday condemned a statement by MP Gordan Maras (SDP), who said that "HRT is suing its own reporters for two million kuna," underlining that Maras's claims are incorrect and that over the past two years HRT has launched lawsuits against the publishers and editors-in-chief of other media outlets.
"HRT most sharply condemns yesterday's statement by SDP MP Gordan Maras, who threw out an HRT reporter, cameraman and technician from a press conference, stating incorrectly that 'HRT is suing its own reporters for two million kuna.' It is not true that HRT is suing its own reporters: the lawsuits filed over the past two years were launched against publishers for publishing untruths and damaging HRT's honour and reputation, as well against chief editors for not issuing denials, which... they are obliged to do in accordance with the Media Act," HRT's communication service said in a press release.
The press release further said that it had received a letter on Tuesday from the South East Europe Media Organization which sharply condemned Maras's actions, considering them unprecedented political pressure on a public television in the European Union.
HRT has forwarded a letter to its Programme Council and Supervisory Board, asking them to review all the facts and legal aspects related to Programme Council vice president Nikola Baketa's attending a press conference convened by the GONG NGO, which called for a boycott of HRT.
HRT added that the first settlements with sued publishers were underway and that HRT would release a list of the people being sued and cases on its web site.
More news about Croatian Radio Television can be found in the Politics section.
