EBU calls for resolution of Croatian dispute

Public broadcasters’ organisation the EBU has expressed a hope that a boycott of Croatian pubcaster HRT by the Croatian Journalists Union (HND) will find a “swift resolution”. The EBU said that anything that deprives audiences of access to public service broadcasting is damaging to society and the workings of healthy democracies.

HRT and the HND have been embroiled in a dispute since the latter published a letter last September, accusing HRT of making dubious use of public funds in commissioning a series on corruption entitled Je li moglo drugačije?

The dispute relates principally to allegations that HRT staff had profited from the illicit distribution of tickets for the football World Cup.

HRT countered by filing a number of legal suits against the union, alleging damage to its reputation.

The EBU welcomed statements by HRT’s DG Kazimir Bačić in favour of a resolution of the conflict and said that it hoped the dispute could be resolved quickly.