SEEMO condemns pressure on Croatian journalists

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns pressure on Croatan journalists who have revealed alleged illegal financing of the ruling political party. On September 11, 2011, Zagreb-based daily Vecernji list carried a story on illegal party finances and electoral campaigns. On September 15, the Bureau for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime (USKOK) summoned one of the authors, Josip Bohutinski, to testify. SEEMO condemns pressure on Croatian journalists The police expected the journalist to reveal his sources but they did not pressure him to do so. Citing media law, Bohutinski did not cooperate. However, the official USKOK website states that more journalists are expected to testify. Croatia’s Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, and a member of the governing party, announced that that whistleblowers had to be found and that a thorough investigation would be carried out. “I strongly condemn this political and police pressure on journalists,” said Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General. “Journalists do not have to reveal their sources and such campaigns are designed to spread fear. I call on Croatia’s Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and the state agency USKOK to stop using undemocratic methods to silence the media. Considering that Croatia is about to join the EU, this type of method is even more surprising.”

SEEMO condemns pressure on Croatian journalists

The police expected the journalist to reveal his sources but they did not pressure him to do so. Citing media law, Bohutinski did not cooperate.

However, the official USKOK website states that more journalists are expected to testify.

Croatia’s Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, and a member of the governing party, announced that that whistleblowers had to be found and that a thorough investigation would be carried out.

“I strongly condemn this political and police pressure on journalists,” said Oliver Vujović, SEEMO Secretary General. “Journalists do not have to reveal their sources and such campaigns are designed to spread fear. I call on Croatia’s Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and the state agency USKOK to stop using undemocratic methods to silence the media. Considering that Croatia is about to join the EU, this type of method is even more surprising.”