ZAGREB, February 20, 2018 – The Croatian Public Relations Association (HUOJ) has named Sisak Bishop Vlado Košić Anti-Communicator of the Year for 2017, saying that Košić spread intolerance and used hate speech against specific political and social groups in the country.
The other candidates for this title were Economy Minister Martina Dalić, Health Minister Milan Kujundžić, Social Policy and Family Minister Nada Murganić, members of parliament Davor Bernardić (SDP) and Željko Glasnović (independent), Chief State prosecutor Dinko Cvitan, Zagreb University Rector Damir Boras, Croatian People’s Party leader Ivan Vrdoljak and Croatian Football Federation head Davor Šuker.
“Apart from speaking negatively about homosexuals, migrants, abortion and medically assisted reproduction, (Košić) also criticised young people for emigrating… He is also known for publicly criticising Croatian media, notably those media whose views he does not share, and accusing them of serving the Devil. He also spoke about the need to lustrate public services,” the HUOJ said in its decision to name Košić Anti-Communicator of the Year.
In a week’s time, on February 27, the HUOJ will announce its choice for Communicator of the Year. The candidates are Science and Education Minister Blaženka Divjak, European Parliament member Biljana Borzan of the Social Democratic Party, Colonel Davor Turković, retired Jadrolinija shipping company employee Ante Mrvica, and authors of the Facebook profile “Di su pare” (Where’s the money).
