| Croatia: Journalists one step from getting sacked |
| 4 November 2009 | 14:54
| Source:
Tanjug |
ZAGREB --
Four Croatian state TV HRT journalists have been reprimanded and warned that the next step taken by the broadcaster would see them sacked.
The four got in trouble after they gave statements about witnessing HRT Director Vanja Sutlić insulting one of their colleagues for being married to a Serb.
Their attorney Čedo Prodanović said that "events over the last several days", including pressure from the public, influenced a reversal of the decision to sack them.
The journalists' colleagues from HRT, other journalist, their associations and politicians all showed public support after they were threatened with losing their jobs.
The affair broke out when Lela Knežević, Maja Sever, Sanja Mikleušević Pavić and Robert Zuber told media that they witnessed Sutlić verbally abuse now former HRT correspondent from Belgrade Ivana Dragičević Veličković, calling her a “Chetnik whore”, and banning her from participating in a humanitarian television show.
The journalists denied that they kept quiet on purpose for 20 months, adding that they informed their superiors about the incident, but that the five senior officials in the company "tried to solve the problem within the station".
This news came along with media reports that the top of Croatia's government has allegedly asked Sutlić to "either resolve the situation at HRT or resign by November 5".
According to Zagreb daily Jutarnji List, Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor made the demand in a meeting she had with Sutlić several days ago.
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