Mr Goran Radman
General director
HRT © Hrvatska radiotelevizija.
10000 Zagreb, Prisavlje 3
Croatia


18 March 2015

Dear Mr Radman,

On behalf of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), representing over 320.000 journalists across Europe, we join our Croatian affiliate, Hrvatsko novinarsko društvo (CJA), in protest against the potential dismissal of two HRT journalists, Ms Elizabeta Gojan and Ms Hloverka Novak Srzić. The EFJ ask you to reconsider your decision.

It seems your decision is based on an alleged violation of HRT Ethical Code stating that employees cannot talk publicly without permission of their superior officers.

You should understand that journalists, as public figures, have the right to talk publicly at any moment and express their opinions freely. That is their Constitutional right, as stated in Article 38 of the Croatian Constitution.

Elizabeta Gojan has been the target of unfair and biased criticism. She had no other choice than to defend herself, as she was not protected by her superiors.

We were told that Hloverka Novak Srzić led the action of signing a petition against her colleague Elizabeta Gojan.
Both journalists are now under the procedure of getting fired. The EFJ strongly supports CJA views against these layoffs for both colleagues.

We would appreciate if your office could let us know as soon as possible your final decision. If needed we will report the case to the President of the EBU, the Vice-President of the European Commission (dealing with Fundamental Rights), the OSDCE Representative for the Freedom of the Media, and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights.

Thank you.

Sincerely yours,
 
 
Ricardo Gutiérrez
General Secretary of the EFJ