HRT refuses to comment on 'controversial' MP´s critique of censure

Croatian Radio Television (HRT) has tried to distract attention from member of the EU parliament Roger Helmer's critique of the public broadcaster's alleged censuring activities by pointing out that the British politician is no stranger to controversy.HRT's spokesperson Dorotea Lazanin Jelenc said that the broadcaster does not wish to enter polemical conversations based on falsehood and half-information."This letter from Mr. Helmer is a textbook example of the pressure on public media. In order to better inform the Croatian public, HRT would like to point out that Mr. Helmer's political career has been marked by controversial public statements. For example, less than two months ago, he brought the British public and government to their feet over homophobic statements," HRT writes.In his letter to HRT officials, Helmer said that the political pressure on journalists and the censure of public television programs must stop if Croatia does not want problems with European Union negotiations.  He claims that the public broadcaster often censures programs deemed damaging for the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and the Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor.The head of the Croatian Parliament's Committee on the Media, Nenad Stazic said that HRT's response is not an appropriate way to address a member of the European Parliament."That is a very unpleasant way of conversing with a Euro-parliamentarian chosen by citizens of Great Britain. Such conversation is not a good conversation," Stazic said.He said that the Committee will be monitoring the situation to see whether there is a need to call for an extraordinary session, the portal Index writes.

Source: Croatian Times Online News