PRESS RELEASE
April 16th 2008

To whom it may concern,

we are addressing you in regards to the public reprimand of the Croatian Journalists’ Council of Honor which was pronounced to the editor of the “Black Chronic” of the daily newspapers “Jutarnji list” and Boris Cvetković, journalist and author for the “Jutarnji list”.

The Team for Legal Changes of Iskorak and Kontra and the Women’s Network of Croatia submitted a proposal on January 19th 2008 for commencement of proceedings before the Croatian Journalists’ Council of Honor of the Croatian Journalists Society for text under title “Gay pimp solicited young homeless man”. The text described the criminal proceedings against male subject, suspect for solicitation of 19 years old man. “Homosexual scene” was placed in relation with male prostitution; therefore article 19 of the Codex of Honor was violated. Homosexual orientation was unnecessarily and unjustifiable placed in relation with prostitution and negatively qualified.

For reporting on criminal offence of solicitation, sex and sexual orientation of the offender and the injured party are irrelevant. Gay population- already stigmatized in society and therefore especially vulnerable- was placed in connection with prostitution and solicitation by the text under the photograph and the title of the text.

We welcome the decision of the Council of Honor and hope that
It will serve as a guideline to journalists in future work.