In fierce competition, the title of Anticommunicator of the Year goes to the Bishop of Sisak, Košić

The expert jury of the Grand PRix of the Croatian Public Relations Association (HUOJ) announced on Tuesday that the “Anticommunicator of the Year” has been chosen as the Bishop of Sisak, Vlado Košić, who is criticized for spreading intolerance and even hatred towards certain political and social groups in Croatia.

Košić was selected among ten individuals who stood out last year for poor public communication and received the award “Šipak of the Year,” the statement said.

In the competition for this “recognition” were also the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts, Martina Dalić, Minister of Health Milan Kujundžić, Minister of Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy Nada Murganić, Members of Parliament Davor Bernardić (SDP) and Željko Glasnović (independent), State Attorney Dinko Cvitan, Rector of the University of Zagreb Damir Boras, President of the HNS Ivan Vrdoljak, and President of the Croatian Football Federation Davor Šuker.

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– As part of the Grand PRix awards, we select the ‘Communicator’ and ‘Anticommunicator’ of the year to highlight good communication practices, but also to encourage those who do not communicate in this way to work on the openness and constructiveness of their communication, said the president of the jury of the 11th Grand PRix HUOJ, Krešimir Macan.

This year’s task for the jury was not easy. We have gathered quite a few examples of poor communication in the Croatian public space. Some flaws in public relations are common among poor communicators, while others are specific. Most do not foster open communication and do not cope well with new communication tools. The Bishop of Sisak, Vlado Košić, is the best example of this, Macan said.

Košić spread intolerance and hatred

The jury determined that the Bishop of Sisak spread intolerance and even hatred towards certain political and social groups. He did this in sermons, media appearances, and on social networks. Such communication is inappropriate for anyone, and it carries additional weight when it comes from someone in Košić’s position.

Not only did such statements not contribute to building a culture of public dialogue in Croatia, but quite the opposite – he sent messages that were contrary to the mission, vision, and core values of his own organization – the Catholic Church, Macan conveyed the explanation of the fifteen jury members.

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– In addition to attacks on homosexuals, migrants, abortion, and medically assisted reproduction, he also criticized young people for leaving Croatia for abroad, accusing them of trendiness and desertion. He also ‘made a name for himself’ with public criticisms of Croatian media, especially those with which he disagreed, stating that they were hiding the devil himself. He touched on the need for lustration in public services.

Košić’s poor communication is rounded off by a misunderstanding of the use of social networks, primarily Facebook. Specifically, at one moment he uses it as a public channel to express his views, and then defends himself from criticism by stating that it is a private communication channel.

The HUOJ jury expressed hope that Košić would perceive this as constructive criticism and improve communication with believers, as well as the wider community. In this regard, he can take inspiration from Pope Francis.

The selection for Communicator of the Year follows

– Pope Francis is aware of the power, but also the responsibility that public communication enables today. His example of communication, which implies openness, the spread of tolerance, a good understanding of social networks, and following communication trends, is an inspiration for all of us, Macan said.

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To ensure that Bishop Košić’s communication goes in that direction, HUOJ has made the best Croatian communication experts available to him free of charge.

In a week (on Tuesday, February 27), it will be announced who is the “Communicator of the Year.” Competing for this title are Minister of Science and Education Blaženka Divjak, MEP Biljana Borzan, Colonel Davor Turković, retired Jadrolinija employee Ante Mrvica, and the authors of the Facebook page “Di su pare.”