EFJ protestira protiv zanemarivanja prijedloga HND-a i HRT-a za èlana Nacionalnog vijeæa za praæenje i provedbu antikorupcijskih mjera

15.05.2008.

 To Mr. Luka Bebiæ,

President, Croatian Parliament

Fax: 00 385 1 63 03 010

 

From

Aidan White

General Secretary, European Federation of Journalists

 

Re: Appointment to National Council for Anti-Corruption Measures

 

Dear Mr. Bebiæ,                                                                       Brussels, 15 May, 2008

 

 

The European Federation of Journalists, the European group of the International Federation of Journalists representing about 250.000 journalists throughout Europe, would like to draw your attention to some concerns the EFJ has regarding the appointment of the media representative to the Croatian National Council for Anti-Corruption.

 

The EFJ supports the fight against corruption and campaigns for transparency and thus welcomes the creation of a council against corruption in Croatia. However, we share the concerns expressed by the Croatian Journalists Association on the choice of the member representing the media.  To fight anti-corruption successfully and credibly, such a national Council must be first of all independent.

 

The CJA and the HRT have been consulted and have presented a common candidate to represent the media in the Council, which we highly appreciate. Investigative journalism and the watchdog role of journalism is in itself an important tool to fight corruption. The person proposed by these two main media organisations representing the profession at large is Mr. Luko Brailo, CJA Vice President and a very good journalist who is very much known for his outstanding work in disclosing corruption connected to local government.

 

We have also been informed that Ms Škugor Hrnèeviæ is the current choice of the Appointment Committee. We are very concerned that her choice may give a negative signal regarding the independence from the government. One of the main functions of an Anti-Corruption Council is in fact to be independent.

 

As you know, the media is key to exposing corrupt politicians and public officers. Coalitions to promote good governance and to counter corruption, especially between journalists, judges, public prosecutors and official regulators of business sectors, are therefore key to some success.

 

Given these concerns we support the petition of the CJA and we ask you to respect the choice of the professionals representing journalism and the media.

 

 

With Kind Regards,

 

Aidan White, General Secretary.

 

 

 

Povratak