Commercial Radio and Television in the Republic of Croatia – Ten Years Later

Pitanje demokratizacije medija bilo je i ostalo jedno od najvažnijih u odnosima između Zagreba i međunarodnih institucija. Nakon godinu dana velikih iščekivanja, aktualna vlast još nije pokazala interes da ispravi neke pogreške i propuste prošlog desetogodišnjeg načina vođenja medijske politike u području komercijalnih medija. U tom prošlom desetogodišnjem razdoblju, koncesije je dobilo oko 130 lokalnih radio postaja i oko 13 lokalnih televizija, prije svega zato da bi se stvorio privid pluralnosti medija. Uistinu, država je na različite načine zadržala kontrolu nad elektronskim medijima. Stanje s komercijalnim radio i TV postajama u Hrvatskoj još ne zadovoljava, a promjene najviše koči nedonošenje Zakona o telekomunikacijama i Zakona o HRT-u, čije bi donošenje pridonijelo stvaranju nužne alternative HRT-u.Media democratization remains one of the most important questions in the relations between Croatia and international institutions. After a year of great expectations, the present authorities still show no interest in correcting the mistakes and omissions of the past period in the conduct of media policy in the commercial field. Over the past ten years, broadcasting concessions have been issued to about a 130 local radio stations and 13 local televisions, thus creating a semblance of media plurality. In fact, however, the state has used various means to maintain control over the electronic media. The situation regarding commercial radio and television in Croatia is still unsatisfactory, and changes are blocked by the failure of the Croatian Parliament to pass the law on telecommunications and the law on Croatian Radio and Television, which would create the conditions for the establishment of the necessary alternative to Croatian Radio and Television