Croatian Journalists Condemn Funding Cut to Serb Weekly as Censorship

April 28, 2025 – Croatia – 

In April 2025, Croatia’s Council for National Minorities reduced funding for Novosti, a weekly newspaper serving the Serbian minority, by 35%. This decision has been widely criticized by journalists and press freedom advocates as a politically motivated act of censorship.

Novosti, published by the Serbian National Council (SNV), is known for its investigative journalism and critical reporting on political and social issues in Croatia. The publication operates under the Program for Cultural Autonomy of Minorities, receiving state funds allocated for minority media. The recent funding reduction follows demands from the far-right Homeland Movement (Domovinski Pokret), which has called for the complete cessation of financial support for Novosti, labeling it as anti-Croatian and accusing it of undermining national values.

The Croatian Journalists’ Association (CJA) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) have condemned the funding cuts, asserting that they threaten media pluralism and minority rights. CJA President Hrvoje Zovko emphasized that such actions are unconstitutional, stating, “The financing of Novosti, as well as several newspapers and magazines of national minorities in Croatia, is prescribed by the Constitutional Law on the Rights of National Minorities.”

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that Novosti journalists have faced a surge of threats and harassment since the funding cuts were proposed. These include hate messages and intimidation tactics, which have raised concerns about the safety of journalists and the freedom of the press in Croatia.

International organizations, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have also expressed alarm over the situation, highlighting it as part of a broader trend of declining press freedom in Croatia. RSF noted that such political interference and threats against media outlets compromise democratic principles and the rule of law.

As the Croatian government faces increasing scrutiny over its commitment to media freedom and minority rights, journalists and advocates continue to call for the restoration of funding to Novosti and the protection of press independence.

Reference – 

Croatia: Weekly Novosti faces drastic funding cuts amid political pressure

Croatia: EFJ condemns far-right calls for an end to funding for Novosti weekly

https://balkaninsight.com/2025/04/28/croatian-journalists-condemn-funding-cut-to-serb-weekly-as-censorship/