World Report 2009: Croatia

Journalist Melita Vrsaljko was filming an illegal dumpsite in Nadin, central Croatia, when she was first attacked; the following day, she was assaulted at her home. Her attackers are the sister and father of a powerful local politician.

Two recently proposed legislative changes will mean a step backward for press freedom in Croatia ahead of a ‘super election’ year, say MFRR partner organisations.

Politicians, public figures and corporations have filed over 1,100 lawsuits against journalists with the intention of intimidating them into self-censorship.