Describe the main features of the policy/measure:
Diversity and plurality of the media are particularly promoted by the Fund for the Promotion of Pluralism and Diversity of Electronic Media, established by the Electronic Media Act provisions that have included the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMS Directive) solutions and by Croatian Radio-Television Act. The fund is administered by the Council for Electronic Media (VEM), and financed by 3% of Croatian Radio-Television revenues generated from licence fees to the Fund. It supports production and broadcasting of programmes of public interest in local and regional radio and television channels, and electronic publications, who serve local communities and sometimes introduce the usage of local dialects in broadcasting (e.g., in the Istria region). This support goes to the promotion of the production and broadcasting of electronic media content of public interest on local and regional levels, which is important for the right of citizens to public information, the rights of national minorities, promotion of cultural creativity, and development of education, science and the arts.
The support of the Fund is used to promote the production and release of audio-visual and radio programs of public interest of television broadcasters and/or radio broadcasters at local and regional level, of non-profit television, radio broadcasters and non-profit electronic publications (digital news/internet portals), as well as employment of highly qualified professionals of those broadcasters. In order to receive funding the programs that apply to the Fund should be of public interest and especially relevant for: the exercise of citizens' right to public information; promotion of cultural creativity and fostering of cultural heritage; development of upbringing and education; development of science; development of arts; promotion of works in dialects of the Croatian language; promotion of special cultural projects and events; national minorities in the Republic of Croatia; encouragement of the development of the awareness of gender equality and other highest values of the constitutional system; raising awareness of equality of gender identities and sexual orientations; promotion of the programmes for the children and youth aiming at enhancing their wellbeing; raising public awareness of the capabilities and contributions of persons with disabilities as well as promotion and respect of their rights and dignity, including the fight against stereotypes, prejudices and harmful practices relating to persons with disabilities; historically accurate presentation of the Croatian War of Independence; development and promotion of media literacy; protection of the environment; promotion of health and encouragement of health culture.
The criteria for awarding the Fund's support are: the significance of the audio-visual and/or radio programme, i.e. the content of the electronic publication for the realisation of objectives referred to in the provisions of the Act; the quality and content-related innovation of the offered audio-visual and/or radio programme, i.e. the content of the electronic publication; the interest for overall i.e. local and regional cultural development; the accessibility of programmes and content to people with disabilities; and other criteria determined by the Electronic Media Council.
Website of the policy/measure, if available:
What are the results achieved so far through the implementation of the policy/measure?:
The implementation of the measure contributed to the augmentation of the diversity of cultural expressions in the relevant categories as described in the Ordinance of the Fund. That is, that the number of radio, television and electronic publications programs oriented to the issues of public interest (e.g. dealing with the topic related to citizens’ rights, rights of national minorities, gender equality, promotion of media literacy, development of arts and science, ecological awareness etc.) is more widely available to citizens
Financial resources allocated to the policy/measure in USD:
5.217.673USD
Partner(s) engaged in the implementation of the measure:
| Type of entity |
|---|
Public Sector
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Has the implementation of the policy/measure been evaluated?:
YES
If yes, what are the main conclusions/recommendations?:
The last analysis of the social impact of the measure was executed in 2018 for the 2013-2015 period of the implementation of the measure (Burić et al. 2018). The results showed that when analysing regional and local radio and TV producers the co-financing provided by the Fund has made an important impact on the increase of the breath and the diversity of the media content in the broader public. The analysis showed that a large part of such content would not be produced or distributed without the assistance of the Fund and that the applicants see the Fund as an important partner. Co-financing of the Fund has a significant influence on the financial sustainability of the media production especially in areas where advertising revenues are low or are generally economically disadvantaged areas.
The analysis shows that the Fund enables that the current number of media in Croatia remains stable and the data shows that it significantly supports the quantitative pluralism of the media, while the quality of the content itself mostly depends either on the level of the development of the particular media environment, the investment of owners in the media production and/or on the available journalistic staff. The evaluation also showed a number of areas for the improvement of the Fund in regards to its technical aspects, thematic scope and potential promotional and educational activities.