Matija Babić

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Matija Babić (English transliteration: Matija Babich) is a Croatian journalist best known for his pioneering use of the Internet in order to expose various scandals. A University of Zagreb student, Babić appeared on the Croatian media scene in 1999 when he began to publish articles for vijesti.net [1], one of the first Croatian news websites. The site would later become known as index.hr [2]. Babić became the website's editor-in-chief, but he was also known for covering some stories personally. In 2002 he was assaulted by skinheads after being mistaken for a participant in a Gay Pride parade in Zagreb.

His site quickly gained a reputation for yellow journalism in Croatia after it exposed scandals in 2004, many of which were published despite te lact of a factual basis. Although, it was the first to reveal evidence of Marko Perković singing lyrics in praise of genocide of Serbs during WW2.

However, Babić reached the zenith of his fame and notoriety in late spring of 2004 by breaking the news about an Internet sex video featuring Severina Vučković. There is anecdotal evidence of the recordings being circulated among employees of Croatian Radiotelevision a few weeks earlier, but it was only after Babić dared to publish the news that any kind of denial or cover-up became impossible.

Because of his actions, Babić's site was sued for copyright infringement and breach of privacy; but the suit was rejected by a Zagreb district court. Members of the Croatian entertainment industry and social establishment rallied around Vučković, one of Croatia's cultural icons; some say they never forgave Babić for shattering the illusion of their invulnerability. At the same time, Babić himself became a celebrity and earned great popularity, especially among young Croatians.

Babić's style of journalism caught the attention of Styria AG, the Austria-based media group which owned Večernji list. In 2005 the company appointed Babić editor-in-chief of 24 sata ("24 hours"), a newspaper which was described as "dedicated to the modern, young, and urban population." When 24 sata appeared on news stands, it became the first Croatian daily tabloid newspaper.

Babić was heavily criticised for poor quality of text and the use of sex and sensationalist stories, and many expected 24 sata to go under. But the newspaper quickly became the third most circulated newspaper in Croatia. Some of the stories he published that were critical of Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader were based on information that was common knowledge and only shed light on his position during Oluja, all other accusations were unfounded. This factor and articles detailing corruption and a paedophilia scandal related to the Catholic Church contributed to Babić being removed from his post on July 5th 2005.