ABSTRACT
Media accountability in Croatia is at a low level. Most of the instruments of media accountability are not developed. Media transition, from the Soviet Media Model to one of the recognized media models in democratic countries, is an ongoing and very slow process. Journalists, media experts and the public are unanimous in evaluating the media situation as being in deep crisis. The paradox is that although foreign media corporations own the majority of Croatia’s media companies, those foreign media corporations do not implement in Croatia the high professional standards of their national states. Violation of media ethics strongly characterizes Croatian media. Hate speech, disrespect of privacy, manipulation, sensationalism and abuse of children’s rights are an everyday reality. Established instruments of media accountability, such as press councils and ombudsmen, have not been developed in Croatia and thus do not have any significant influence on the media environment. Neither have innovative instruments of media accountability been developed. Online journalism and web publishing are sources of hate speech and non-ethical messages.
