Press freedom 2008

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists from South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), is concerned about the continuous pressure exerted on Denis Latin, editor and host of the television programme, “Latinica”, by the management of the Croatian public broadcasting company HRT.

According to information brought to the attention of SEEMO, HRT prohibited Mr. Latin from inviting an investigative journalist on his show. After expressing his disapproval of the decision, Mr. Latin lost an exclusive contract as editor of the programme and was prohibited from making appearances in several other radio and TV programmes in Croatia.

SEEMO has reported about the pressures exerted on Latin in the past. Commenting on this latest incident, Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General, said that HRT’s actions were an undue interference in the editorial process. “SEEMO regards such interference as an attack not only on Croatian investigative journalism, but on freedom of speech in general,” he said.

SEEMO hopes the issue will be resolved to the satisfaction of both sides.