SafeJournalists: Closure of Radio Nacional is Another Blow to Independent Journalism and Media Pluralism in Croatia
The SafeJournalists network expresses deep concern and solidarity with the journalists and media workers of Radio Nacional, who were abruptly left without jobs following the sudden decision by management to shut down the independent digital radio station.
Radio Nacional ceased broadcasting on August 1, with employees informed only the day before. A total of 12 journalists and collaborators were dismissed without proper notice or institutional support. This manner of closure highlights the insecure working conditions journalists face in Croatia, and reflects a broader pattern of institutional neglect toward independent media.
As one of the few digital radio stations in Croatia dedicated to public interest journalism and critical reporting on political and social issues, Radio Nacional provided a rare and valuable voice in the media landscape. Its closure leaves a serious gap in the country’s democratic discourse.
Despite repeated appeals to the Ministry of Culture and the Parliamentary Committee on Media, there was no response or support to ease the burden of high broadcasting fees or to promote digital radio. Editor-in-chief Zrinka Vrabec Mojzeš stated that “the state has no interest in supporting media that inform citizens about what is really happening in the country. What they want is ‘feelgood’ programming without real journalism.”
Radio Nacional was privately funded, with no consistent public financial support, attempting to survive in a digital environment that lacked adequate regulatory and financial infrastructure. Its shutdown is a clear sign that Croatia’s current media policies fail to ensure the sustainability of independent, digital, and public interest media.
This is not an isolated incident. Across the region, we are witnessing the erosion of media pluralism and the collapse of editorial offices dedicated to the public good. Without free and sustainable media, democracy itself is at risk.
The SafeJournalists network calls on Croatian authorities, especially the Ministry of Culture and Media, to urgently recognise the seriousness of this situation and to take meaningful steps to protect and strengthen independent journalism. We also call on international partners to continue monitoring the state of media freedom in Croatia and the region, and to ensure that mechanisms are in place to support journalists working in precarious conditions.
SafeJournalists stands in full solidarity with the journalists and staff of Radio Nacional. This is not just a story about the closure of one newsroom. It is yet another warning that media freedom and democratic standards in Croatia are under serious threat.
Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Beograd – Podgorica, 04.08.2025.
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
