By The SafeJournalists network strongly condemns the latest announcement by prominent members of Croatia’s ruling coalition party, the Homeland Movement (Domovinski pokret), regarding their intention to abolish all budgetary funding for the minority weekly Novosti in 2026.
During a recent appearance on Croatian Television (HTV), MP Stipo Mlinarić stated that funding for Novosti “was reduced by 200,000 euros this year” and declared that “next year it will be abolished” entirely. In the same week, according to Novi list, Homeland Movement president Ivan Penava called on minority MPs to ensure that, through the Council for National Minorities, they “do not protect the interests of Novosti.”
The Council for National Minorities is an independent body responsible for allocating funds to minority media through an annual, impartial grant process. By publicly pressuring this body and announcing the withdrawal of future support, members of the ruling coalition are engaging in unlawful political interference, violating the Constitutional Act on the Rights of National Minorities, and attempting to financially undermine a minority media outlet that has been the target of continuous defamatory attacks.
It is especially troubling that Homeland Movement representatives openly boast about influencing this year’s grant allocation, in which Novosti received 35% less than the amount requested. Their public statement — “What we promise, we deliver – Reduced funding for the weekly Novosti” — clearly demonstrates political pressure on an independent institution.
Such actions represent a serious threat to media freedom, minority rights, and democratic standards. Targeting a minority outlet through political and financial pressure is unacceptable in any democratic society.
SafeJournalists Network calls on Croatian authorities to ensure the independence of the Council for National Minorities, guarantee the protection of minority media, and stop all forms of political pressure on journalists and media outlets.
The SafeJournalists network will continue to closely monitor this case.
Every attack on journalists is an attack on democracy, the public interest, and fundamental human rights.
Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica – Tirana, December 3, 2025
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
BH Journalists’ Association
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro
