"In time of general crisis and lack of prospects in Croatian society, our media, too, are undergoing a very deep crisis. There are too few ideas about how to overcome this crisis, too many media owners... Sensationalism is on the rise, but circulation is down," the HND said in a press release signed by its president Zdenko Duka.

The HND said media owners wanted to decrease the value of journalistic work, but warned that journalistic credibility must have its price, a price stemming from fair and good journalistic research and analysis aimed at society's well-being.

The HND recalled that independent foreign media watchdogs point to a general decline in press freedoms and quality of journalism, and warned that it was especially worrisome that Croatia's journalistic rating was the lowest in years.

This year the HND is marking its 100 anniversary, a century it says has been characterised by two main tasks -- to ensure a dignified social security for journalists and a high level of professionalism.

Those are the most important goals today as well, the HND said, calling on all Croatian journalists to an organised, solidary and uncompromising defence of work conditions and professional standards, on which it says the future of journalism and democracy depends.

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Croatian Journalists Trade Union called on all journalists and media employees to stage a five-minute silence drive between 11.55 am and noon on Monday in order to warn readers, viewers and listeners about the deteriorating positions of journalists and media, which the union says threatens the public's right to find out information important in decision-making.

The union said in a press release that everyday pressures on journalists included intimidation via layoffs, years-long employment on fixed-term contracts, work without a contract as well as work without pay or benefits. The union said this resulted in a deterioration of professional standards and weakening of the media's role in a democracy.