Croatia's parliament on Friday began its meeting with a discussion on the government-sponsored draft amendments to the Law on Media and the Law on Electronic Media in a bid to improve the transparency of the ownership structure of media companies.
Presenting the draft, Culture Minister Jasen Mesic said that media service providers would be required to forward data on the owners of their shares and interests to the Electronic Media Council by the end of every year and to publish those reports in the Official Gazette.
In the event that media service providers fail to meet this obligation, they will face a fine from HRK 100,000 to HRK 1 million.
The draft amendments forbid any dealings and operations aimed at concealing the ownership structure in media companies.
The proposed changes to the electronic media legislation ban the transfer of broadcasting licences to other legal entities.
The ministry said the purpose of those proposals was to support to the independence of the media and prevent misuse of electronic media.
After the minister's address, parliamentary clubs began a debate on the motion.
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