Stephen Nikola Bartulica, a Croatian member of the European Parliament, raised concerns regarding media manipulation in Croatia, emphasizing that many mainstream media outlets are under Serbian ownership. He pointed out that this ownership influence is not widely scrutinized, and the public remains unaware of the underlying ownership structures that shape media narratives in Croatia.

Bartulica noted that traditional media are now facing significant competition from podcasts and social media, suggesting that in the United States, certain podcasts outperformed traditional outlets like CNN. He argues that this shift in the media environment is beginning to occur in Croatia, albeit at a slower pace, indicating a potential transformation in how news is consumed and understood by the public.

The MEP stressed that the traditional media must adapt to the loss of their monopoly on information dissemination as the media landscape evolves. He criticized the status quo, where Serbian influence is normalized, and called for greater awareness and scrutiny regarding the ownership of media outlets in Croatia, pushing for a healthier media ecosystem that reflects diverse viewpoints.