Croatia

[HR] Council for Electronic Media Rules on "Big Brother"

IRIS 2005-1:1/29

Nives Zvonarić

Ministry of Culture, Zagreb, Croatia

On 12 November 2004, the Council for Electronic Media, constituted in April 2004 according to the Law on Electronic Media, issued a decision concerning the protection of minors and human dignity. The public prosecutor for children had filed a complaint before the Council against the broadcasting company RTL d.o.o. (Ltd.) due to an alleged breach of the provisions of the Law on Electronic Media. It had been claimed that RTL broke the provisions of Art. 15 para. 2, para. 3 of the Law on Electronic Media by broadcasting the reality show "Big Brother". According to the complaint there had been scenes in this show that insulted human dignity, others that encouraged children and minors in particular to use tobacco products and alcohol. This kind of programme content might damage the physical, mental or moral growth of children and minors. In its decision the Council stated a breach of the provisions of Art. 15 para. 2, para. 3 of the Law on Electronic Media had occurred. Accordingly, a warning has been issued to RTL concerning the broadcasting of those parts of "Big Brother" that may have these harmful effects. Furthermore, the broadcaster may not broadcast program content that may damage the physical, mental or moral growth of children and young persons before 10:00 p.m., and the broadcast must be preceded by an appropriate warning. It has also been decided that such program content may not be broadcast before 10:00 p.m. during other programme content of the broadcaster.