Freedom of Peaceful Assembly
During the period under review, several actions took place on issues such as healthcare, equality and the genocide in Gaza.
On 13th May 2025, Zelena Akcija (Green Action) called on decision-makers to introduce comprehensive health education, ensure the accessibility and affordability of reusable menstrual products and regulate harmful chemicals found in disposable items. The appeal was made during an action held in Zagreb’s main square as part of Menstrual Poverty Week, where activists highlighted the stigma and poverty surrounding menstruation. Holding a large banner reading “Menstruation,” the event brought together activists from organisations across Europe.
On International Conscientious Objectors’ Day, 15th May 2025, and in light of discussions about reintroducing compulsory military service in Croatia, Anti-war Feminists, the Centre for Peace Studies, the Croatian Youth Network and Zelena Akcija held a protest outside the Ministry of Defence. They emphasised that conscientious objection to bearing arms is a constitutional right for all those who oppose it on religious or moral grounds, urging the Ministry to ensure this right is upheld if conscription is reinstated. The groups demanded that the Ministry of Defence, the President and the government avoid imposing mandatory military service under the current conditions and instead invest in civil protection, healthcare, education, social services, and job creation.
On 14th June 2025, a large number of people gathered, joyfully and proudly marching through Zagreb city centre for the Pride Parade. Among the flags and banners, one stood out reading “Love makes a family,” sending a message about the importance of love and support regardless of gender, identity, or the form of partnership. This year’s march was held as an act of resistance to the upsurge in transphobic and homophobic rhetoric in society and politics, according to the Zagreb Pride Organising Committee. “Our pride is not a fleeting feeling. It is daily, brave, a political practice, and a constant struggle,” as stated in the Pride march proclamation. Organisers warned of troubling trends across Europe and the world — from the ban on the Pride Parade in Budapest to increasingly hostile attacks on LGBTQI+ rights in the United States.
On 15th June 2025, more than 1,000 people gathered in the centre of Zagreb for a protest march in solidarity with the Palestinian people, organised by Initiative for a Free Palestine. The march began on European Square and ended in front of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs at Zrinjevac, delivering strong messages against the silence and passivity of Croatian authorities regarding what demonstrators called a genocide unfolding in the Gaza Strip. They chanted against the Israeli military campaign and condemned the Croatian government’s actions, accusing it of “loud silence” and diplomatic support for the Israeli regime.
Freedom of Expression
Funding for independent media cut and media workers attacked
In April 2025, the SafeJournalists Network condemned the decision by the Council for National Minorities of the Republic of Croatia to reduce funding for the independent Serbian weekly Novosti by 35 percent compared to last year. This move is seen as a troubling continuation of pressure on Novosti, which has faced threats and political attacks for months, primarily from the far-right Homeland Movement party. Concerns have been raised as the Homeland Movement has publicly announced cuts or a complete halt to Novosti’s funding.
President of the Croatian Journalists’ Association (HND), Hrvoje Zovko, condemned the 35 percent funding cut, calling it an attack on media freedom and censorship. He criticised the decision as politically motivated, highlighting tacit approval from Prime Minister Plenković and public support from the Homeland Movement party. The Council claimed it funds only cultural, not political, content, but critics say this restricts the range of topics, some of which pertain to minority rights. Novosti’s editor stressed that editorial policy has not changed and vowed to continue independent reporting despite the cut. The deputy editor emphasised that the Constitutional Law on National Minorities imposes no restrictions on media content, including political topics.
In May 2025, SafeJournalists condemned the physical attack and threats against the team of Nova TV’s Provjereno programme, while they were filming a report on the devastation along the Una River near Štrbački buk. On 10th May 2025, reporter Danka Derifaj and cameraman Miroslav Bokan were reportedly attacked by a 65-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman, both Croatian citizens. Both were arrested. The Croatian Journalists’ Association (HND) strongly condemned the incident and announced that it expects the prosecution to seek severe sanctions to send a clear message that verbal and physical attacks on journalists performing their public interest work are unacceptable. Following amendments to the Criminal Code five years ago, attacks on journalists are classified as criminal offences punishable by up to three years in prison.
Reports highlight challenges to media freedom and the protection of journalists
An April 2025 report by the Civil Liberties Union for Europe highlights the critical struggle for media freedom and pluralism across the European Union, identifying significant challenges in 21 member states, including Croatia. The report raises concerns over media ownership concentration, political pressure on public broadcasters, lack of transparency and intimidation of journalists. Female journalists are particularly vulnerable to online harassment and threats. Croatian civil society organisations have called for urgent reforms to safeguard media freedom, including creating publicly accessible media ownership registers, ensuring transparent funding for public media, and protecting journalists from legal and physical intimidation.
Measures to protect media freedom in Croatia are insufficient and at times inconsistent, according to a June 2025 report by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium. The updated report follows a three-day advocacy mission in Zagreb in May 2025, during which MFRR representatives met with journalists, publishers, media leaders, unions, and key government institutions, including the Ministries of Culture, Justice, and the Interior, as well as the Agency for Electronic Media. The mission aimed to assess the government’s progress in implementing recommendations from a previous MFRR fact-finding mission in September 2024 and to identify new and emerging threats to media freedom and independent journalism. While the government highlighted progress in transposing the Anti-SLAPP Directive, establishing a media ownership transparency database, and implementing journalist safety protocols and training, journalists reported ongoing threats, inadequate protection, poor working conditions, and strong political and economic pressures.
Civil society launches projects to support a more empowered media sector
In May 2025, the Croatian Journalists' Union launched a significant new European project addressing key issues of equality and safety for women in the media. The project, titled Women in the Media, operates under the European Union’s CERV programme (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values). The initiative brings together a strong regional network of partners from four countries. The lead partner is the Slovenian organisation Zavod Krog, joined by the Slovenian Journalists’ Association, the GS KUM Nezavisnost Union from Serbia, Mediacentar Sarajevo, and the Croatian Journalists' Union. Women in the Media aims to combat sexual harassment and gender-based violence against women in the media sector, with a special focus on public media services.
Journalists face higher demands, tighter deadlines, smaller teams, and job insecurity. Collective bargaining in the media has nearly disappeared. While there were once eleven collective agreements, only three remain active today. In response, the Croatian Journalists’ Union and the Union of Graphic and Media Workers launched the project “Social Dialogue for Change – Strengthening Social Partners in the Media” in June 2025. The project aims to empower unions and members through education, digital tools, social dialogue, and stronger worker representation. Activities include union training, public events, workshops, and the development of digital resources. The project aims to empower media workers to their collective strength because no one else will fight for their rights.