OSCE assists Croatia on media legislation

ZAGREB, 15 April 2003 - OSCE experts held meetings in Zagreb on 14 and 15 April to discuss the draft law on Electronic Media and Croatia's libel legislation.

"This is part of the OSCE's assistance to Croatia in developing media legislation that is fully in line with European standards and practice," said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Croatia Ambassador Peter Semneby.

"We will continue working closely with the Croatian Government and provide advice to meet its needs in the field of media legislation".

Dr. Katrin Nyman-Metcalf, a legal expert working with the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, met officials from the Ministries of Culture, European Integration and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications and provided them with comments on aligning the draft law with European standards.

Among the issues discussed were the role and level of independence of the proposed regulatory body for electronic media and the need for close co-ordination on the drafting of the Law on Telecommunications.

Alexander Ivanko, a Senior Advisor to the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, met officials from the Ministry of Justice as well as media professionals to discuss the current state of affairs regarding libel legislation and its implementation.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media is advocating the full decriminalization of libel and this has also been raised with authorities in Croatia where libel is still a criminal offence.