Zagreb, 30 April 2022 (Hina/MIA) — The Croatian Journalists' Association on Saturday asked President Zoran Milanovic to stop insulting the journalistic profession, saying his statements about journalists and the media were inappropriate and to be condemned. The association's request was in response to President Milanovic’s comment that he did not follow the media. He had said: “They follow me, like scabies, like a skin infection… It is terribly bad. Education standards have declined enormously. It is a completely neglected profession.” In its press release, the association said such "unacceptable generalizations" did not befit the head of state in a democratic society and were insulting to all journalists. It said numerous governments were responsible for the “devastated” journalistic scene, including Milanovic’s when he was prime minister. The current law on the public broadcaster was adopted during that time, with disastrous consequences, according to the association. Noting that reporters had an important role in Croatian society over the past 30 years, the Croatian Journalists' Association urged Milanovic to "just answer questions" from the press without belittling and vilifying anyone. The association also reminded the Croatian president that in his inauguration speech, he had highlighted the importance of protecting the independence of the media.