OSCE Media Representative raises concern over case of Croatian journalist

VIENNA, 5 February 2002 - On 4 February, Freimut Duve, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, addressed Tonino Picula, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Croatia, regarding the controversy over the recent programme on Croatian Television Latinica hosted by Denis Latin that dealt with the state of the judiciary in Croatia.

Mr. Duve understands that the State Prosecutor plans to file charges against Mr. Latin under Article 309 of the Croatian Criminal Code.

"Your country has made considerable progress recently in the media field and it would be very disturbing if this progress would now be undermined by the decision of the State Prosecutor to pursue its case against Denis Latin. Such a measure may have a negative effect on the media and on journalists investigating cases of corruption," stated the OSCE Representative in his letter to the Foreign Minister.