Croatia - March 2026

On 6 March, the Croatian Parliament passed a law adapting the national media framework to the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), an EU Regulation directly applicable since August 2025. The law establishes the national institutional framework for its implementation, expanding the existing media regulator into a new Agency for Media with oversight extending to print media. It also strengthens transparency requirements on media ownership, funding and state advertising, and requires the labelling of AI-generated content. The government argued that the reform would enhance media independence, accountability and transparency. Critics, including opposition parties such as the SDP and Možemo! and media freedom organisations, argued that the law meets only the minimum requirements and fails to address longstanding political and economic pressure on independent journalism. 

Sources: Croatian Parliament, Balkan Insight, European Centre for Press & Media Freedom, Hrvatska Radiotelevizija