Ownership & classification
Founded: 2002
Ownership
Index.hr is a Zagreb-based news portal launched in December 2002 by journalist and entrepreneur Matija Babic, who for years was widely described as its 'real and hidden' controlling owner through the publishing company Index promocija d.o.o. and related entities. In August 2024 Babic divested his interest and is no longer reported as the (hidden) owner; the portal's current ownership has not been fully and transparently disclosed in public records.
Funding
Funded commercially, primarily through online display advertising on one of Croatia's most-visited news sites, supplemented by some premium/paywalled content. It has no party or state financing.
Affiliation & stance
Index.hr is known for an aggressive, tabloid-tinged but largely liberal and government-critical editorial line, often hostile to the ruling HDZ. As a privately owned commercial portal with no party, church or state control over its newsroom, it is classified INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 1159
82/100
Factual
76/100
Objective
2223
Articles
2186
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage

A month later, Melania reappeared with Trump: One detail in particular caught everyone's attention.
Melania Trump reappeared publicly alongside her husband, Donald Trump, after more than a month of absence from public view. The couple was seen holding hands while walking from the Rose Garden to the Oval Office, drawing attention from media. This marked Melania's return to public appearances during Trump's second presidential term, which had been marked by fewer visible engagements from the first lady. During her speech at the White House, Melania addressed speculation about her absence, stating she had heard she was missed. She appeared composed and confident, without signs of nervousness. Melania also announced an expansion of her 'Fostering the Future' initiative, aimed at supporting young people transitioning out of foster care, with financial support from IndyCar and Fox Corporation.

Truck driver gets 10 days in jail for refusing to take an alcohol test
A 43-year-old truck driver received a 10-day prison sentence after refusing an alcohol test following a traffic stop in Bjelovar, Croatia. The police were alerted by citizens about the truck moving abnormally on the road between Rovišća and Bjelovar. Officers stopped the vehicle in Novo Plavnice street and found the driver was not driving in the middle of his lane. When asked to take an alcohol test, the driver refused. Under the Law on Road Safety, drivers must comply with such tests, and refusal results in fines or imprisonment. The court sentenced the driver to 10 days in jail, and he was sent to the Bjelovar prison.

Croat arrested in Spain: 1.5 tons of cocaine seized in a major operation
A Croatian citizen was arrested in Spain during a large operation where approximately 1.5 tons of cocaine were seized near the northern Galician coast. The drugs were found hidden on a property close to the sea, and among those detained was a Croatian national identified as part of a criminal clan linked to drug trafficking. Investigators suspect collaboration between local criminal groups and individuals from former Yugoslavia, including Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro. The suspect, described as a 'notaria' acting on behalf of a criminal organization, was responsible for overseeing the operation and ensuring agreements were met. Authorities are still investigating how the cocaine arrived at the coast, with some believing it may have been delivered just before the police raid.

In three days, nearly 6,000 traffic violations, mostly for speeding and alcohol.
During the weekend of August 14–16, the police conducted intensified traffic monitoring across Croatia and recorded nearly 6,000 traffic violations. The most common causes were speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol. One person died and 140 were injured in 101 traffic accidents. Among the violations, 2,526 were related to excessive speed, and 524 involved alcohol consumption. The highest recorded speed was 193 km/h on the Ličko-Senjska police district, while the highest blood alcohol concentration measured was 2.87 g/kg in the Virovitica-Podravska region. Zagreb had the highest number of other common violations such as not wearing seat belts and using mobile phones while driving. Most drivers caught drunk driving were aged between 31 and 40, with alcohol levels between 0.51 and 1.0 g/kg being the most frequently recorded. Seventeen repeat offenders were identified, including those who drove under the influence of drugs or without a valid driver’s license. Police emphasized continued efforts to improve road safety and urged drivers to follow regulations.

15 Questions for the Sunday School Breakfast
The article promotes a weekly quiz series organized by Index.hr in collaboration with Umnjaka, a digital platform offering various themed quizzes and league competitions. The quizzes cover topics such as pop culture, history, gastronomy, sports, and more. The content is created by experienced quiz creators who also work on television quiz programs like 'Potjere.' The article includes calls for reader engagement, error reports, and information about contributing stories or joining the Index team.

Mirna Zidarić reveals what she learned in the 50s (and wishes she had known in the 20s)
Sports journalist Mirna Zidarić shared life lessons she learned in her 50s on social media, which she wishes she had known in her 20s. She criticized modern society, comparing it to a solar eclipse where people were dazzled by the event but ignored expert warnings. She described societal issues such as moral decay and internal and external crises, questioning whether there is any turning point. She listed five pieces of advice, including surrounding oneself with people who offer new knowledge, choosing partners who bring joy, taking time for self-reflection, viewing the world from a new perspective, and working hard toward dreams. Zidarić also mentioned her departure from HRT after 30 years and her new career plans.

A new start to the race after Verstappen's crash.
The Formula 1 Grand Prix of Netherlands, held at Zandvoort, began with a restart after a collision involving Max Verstappen. The race was paused due to various incidents including Oscar Piastri entering the pits, several drivers switching to harder tires, and a technical issue with Oliver Bearman’s car. After the restart, Kimi Räikkönen took the lead, while Lando Norris dropped to second place. The race resumed at 15:33 local time, with the track being noted as the last Formula 1 event at Zandvoort for the foreseeable future.

Last year they played in Europe, and now they've taken five goals from amateurs.
In the first round of the German Cup, Bundesliga side Heidenheim suffered a shocking 5-2 defeat at home against SSV Jeddeloha II, a team competing in the fourth tier of German football. The match saw Jeddeloha II take an early lead, which was short-lived before they went on to dominate the game, scoring five goals. Heidenheim, who had recently played in the Conference League, struggled defensively and failed to capitalize on several chances. This result highlights the disparity between professional and semi-professional teams in German football. Jeddeloha II, based in a town of around 1,300 people, achieved a historic victory by advancing to the second round of the cup. Notably, this match mirrored a previous encounter in 2018 where Heidenheim had defeated Jeddeloha II 5-2.

Perisic continues to shine for PSV!
Ivan Perišić, 37-godišnjak hrvatski nogometni reprezentativac, ponovno je pokazao svoju vrijednost za PSV u 3. kolu nizozemske Eredivisie. U susretu sa Groningenom, PSV je rano ostao u rezultatskom zaostatku, ali je domaćin uspješno preokrenuo situaciju. Perišić je u 35. minuti postavio preokret, pogodivši za 2:1, što je doprinijelo finalnom rezultatu od 3:1. Njegov pogodak bio je ključan za pobjedu, dok je njegova kvaliteta, iskustvo i sposobnost pojaviti se u ključnim trenucima ponovno došla do izražaja. Perišić je nastavio niz iz prethodnog kola, gdje je bio asistent za jedan pogodak, i pokazuje da će i ove sezone biti važna napadna opcija za PSV.

Accidentally filming a famous actor at Disneyland: "The daughter was more enthusiastic about Shilla"
Loryn Powell, koja je zajedno s partnerom posjetila Disneyland u Kaliforniji, snimala je obiteljski trenutak dok njihova dvoipolgodišnja kći prvi put susreće Šilja. Snimka je bila namjeravana kao privatna uspomena, ali je nakon što su obitelj primijetila da je Matt Damon bio u pozadini, postala viralna. Powell je na Instagramu objavila video i komentarisala kako je kći više oduševljena Šiljem nego Damonom. U snimci se vidi kako Damon, koji je tada bio u Disneylandu sa svojom obitelju, promatra scenu s osmijehom. Korisnici društvenih mreža su prepoznali Damona zbog šilterice s logotipom Artists Equity, tvrtke koju je osnovao s Benom Affleckom. U istom periodu, Damon je proslavio 18. rođendan svoje kćeri Gije u Disneylandu, a njegova obitelj je nosila iste majice s natpisom 'Birthday Crew'.

Do you sleep less than six hours a night?
Novo istraživanje povezano je prekratko spavanje s povećanim rizikom od hipertenzije. Studija, objavljena u časopisu Blood Pressure, analizirala je podatke od više od 15.000 ljudi starijih od 65 godina i pokazala je da oni koji spavaju manje od šest sati imaju značajno veći rizik od visokog krvnog tlaka. Upravo je ističeno da je kvalitetan san važan za regulaciju krvnog tlaka i općeg zdravlja. Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, kardiolog, naglašava da bi trajanje i kvaliteta sna mogli postati korisni pokazatelji za ocjenu rizika od hipertenzije. Istraživanje također podsjeća da su životne navike, poput fizičke aktivnosti i zdrave prehrane, ključne za zaštitu srca.

A man died fighting a fire in Bosnia, fire threatens along the border with Croatia
A man died while attempting to extinguish a fire near Tešanj in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting ongoing challenges faced by firefighters across the country. The incident occurred during efforts to combat multiple wildfires, some of which are close to the border with Croatia. According to information from the Police Department of Zenica-Doboj Canton, the 77-year-old man was found dead by firefighters during an intervention at a low vegetation fire. The exact circumstances of his death remain unclear, but it is believed he attempted to extinguish the fire independently. Wildfires have been affecting various regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina over the past weeks, exacerbated by high temperatures, dry ground, and prolonged drought. One of the largest fires continues to burn near Bosanski Grahovac on the mountain Risovac, with firefighting efforts involving both local and Croatian teams due to its proximity to the border. Other significant fires are reported in areas such as Plješevica near Bihać, Ivanica near Dubrovnik, Cazin, Pale-Prače, Nevesinje, Konjica, and around Mostar and Čapljina.

Traffic accident in Breil, firefighters pull a person out of the vehicle
A traffic accident occurred in Brela around 8:43 this morning, involving two vehicles. Local firefighters reported the incident and stated that two people were injured. One vehicle contained a single person, while the other had four individuals. Firefighters arrived at the scene and began extracting one person from the vehicle and securing the location. Three firefighters from Brela’s fire station responded to the incident using one vehicle.

















