The Croatian Parliament today, at the proposal of the Committee for the Constitution and Rules of Procedure, amended the rules by which electronic media with national concessions must monitor the election campaign, and by a majority vote rejected the proposal for new rules put forward by the majority of parliamentary clubs.
The amendments to the existing rules stipulate that media can publish election results after the polling stations close at 7 PM (previously there was a restriction until midnight), and the drawing of lots for the order in which electoral candidates will present their programs in broadcasts remains in place. However, the drawing will now require the presence of a public notary, along with representatives of parties, independent lists, and minority representatives. The 45-minute television program in which candidates would present their programs by electoral units is abolished, and it is now determined that the program on HTV will last ten minutes, while on commercial channels Nova TV and RTL it will last five minutes.
Debates on HTV will last 50 minutes, and on commercial television 20 minutes, provided they have the technical conditions for it. Broadcasts from election rallies lasting up to two minutes before and two minutes after the central news program will only be aired by HTV. Paid promotional programs will last up to 10 minutes instead of 30 minutes, as stipulated in the existing rules. Journalists are prohibited from participating in the campaign of any party during the election campaign, and if they have ownership stakes in any agencies working with parties or independent lists, they are obliged to inform their editors in writing about it. (H)
