The press law protects journalists from revealing sources and criminal charges when they publish false information unintentionally. Fines and imprisonment may still be imposed for insulting top state officials. Electronic media are governed by six members of the ruling party among the nine committee members. By March, some 500 libel suits were filed in the courts, most by HDZ members. It also has a monopoly through two government controlled publishing houses.
TV is the major source of information.
Three major channels are owned by the state system. Private media are heavily taxed, and costly lawsuits brought by officials threaten independent newspapers. State-owned media generally favor the government. Broadcasters who are too independent are penalized or banned. There is little coverage of the opposition.