Miroslav Lilić

Miroslav Lilić (Siverić, 8 Apr 1944 - 25 Jul 2023) was a prominent Croatian television editor, journalist, and media executive, best known as one of the defining figures of Radio-televizija Zagreb and later HRT - Hrvatska Radiotelevizija. He graduated in Yugoslav and comparative literature before joining TV Zagreb in 1967, where he worked as a reporter, news editor, and anchor, eventually becoming editor-in-chief and later program director. Lilić gained historical prominence as the first journalist to announce the death of Josip Broz Tito. Under his leadership in the 1970s and 1980s, TV Zagreb’s news programs became more modern, dynamic, and nationally influential, winning multiple awards by Jugoslovenska Radio Televizija. He also led the JRT pool at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and was among the key figures who pushed TV Zagreb’s exit from the unified JRT news structure in 1989.

In independent Croatia, he served as editor-in-chief of HRT (HTV) and created the 24-hour Program for Freedom during the Homeland War, as well as initiating collaborations on iconic anti-war music projects such as [r=7526073].

From 1994 to 2001 he headed Croatia Records as its president, signing and renewing contracts with many of the country’s most important artists and shaping several influential labels. He later returned to HRT as a program advisor, and in 2000 founded and led Nova TV, the first private broadcaster with a national concession.

Lilić authored the autobiography [r=13466876] (2011) and remained active in media circles long after retirement. He received numerous honors, including two Zlatno pero awards from the Croatian Journalists’ Association, the HRT Ivan Šibl Lifetime Achievement Award, the Homeland War Memorial Medal, and the Order of the Croatian Interlace.