During a recent Parliament debate regarding the implementation of the European Media Freedom Act, Croatian Minister of Culture and Media, Nina Obuljen Koržinek faced harsh criticisms from opposition members concerning media funding. Miro Bulj from the Most party raised concerns about financial support to the publication Novosti, while Damir Biloglav from Domino questioned the discontinuation of the weekly Hrvatsko slovo. In response to these accusations, Obuljen Koržinek firmly rejected claims of government financial support, reiterating that no media outlet in Croatia, including Novosti, receives funding from her ministry.

Obuljen Koržinek also addressed the situation regarding Hrvatsko slovo, stating that the weekly publication was facing difficulties in justifying the funds it had received, leading to its unfortunate demise. Her comments come in the context of presenting the final proposal for a law implementing the EU regulation 2024/1083, which aims to establish a common framework for media services in the internal market. She emphasized that the legislation's goal is to ensure media independence and safeguard it from political influence, a persistent issue in various media outlets.

The debate spotlights ongoing concerns in Croatia regarding media independence and the relationship between the government and news organizations. As the implementation of the EU's media freedom regulations progresses, the discussions held within the Parliament reflect broader issues of press freedom, governmental oversight, and the importance of maintaining a diverse media landscape in Croatia. The outcomes of this legislative initiative could significantly shape the future of media operations and their independence within the country.