At the global level, studies note that attacks on female journalists are becoming more frequent and that the number of such attacks is increasing compared to attacks on journalists, a lawyer told "Vijesta" Siniša Gazivoda.
"Unfortunately, these trends are also related to developed democracies, and not only to countries where democratic capacities are not at a satisfactory level", emphasized Gazivoda.
According to the data of the Media Union, in the previous three years (2022, 2023 and 2024), 53 cases of attacks on members of the media were registered, of which 31 were on female journalists.
The analysis of that labor organization shows that the most numerous were verbal and physical attacks, of which there were 12, then threats - 11, and finally hate speech, which was registered in one case.
Citizens in Montenegro are aware of violence against women in journalism. The online questionnaire on the "Vijesti" portal was filled out by 92 readers, 58 of them believe that violence against female journalists is present in Montenegro, and they assessed that verbal and psychological violence are the most prevalent, followed by physical and sexual violence.
Violence against female journalists was witnessed in some way by 28 readers who filled out the questionnaire. Readers of "Vijesti" agree that neither the newsrooms nor the state protect female journalists enough.
The situation, however, is different in Kosovo.
The online questionnaire was also conducted by Kosovo's Koha, 176 citizens responded, and 80,1 percent of them believe that there is no violence against journalists, while only 17,6 percent say that there is.
When asked what type of violence female journalists in Kosovo are exposed to, 31,4 percent said that they were exposed to verbal violence, 25,6 percent to psychological violence, and 23,3 percent to physical violence.
Readers of Koha also estimate that media houses sufficiently protect female journalists (61,9 percent), while 76,1 percent said that the state provides them with sufficient protection.
The problem is regulations or their application?
Attorney Gazivoda points out that in the process of Montenegro's membership negotiations with the European Union, it is expected to address and condemn violence, persecution, harassment and intimidation of journalists and media workers, as well as achieving results in investigations and punishing attacks on journalists.
"In addition, a special category of obligations refers to achieving results in the field of gender equality and the fight against gender-based violence", he emphasized.
According to him, and at the global level, studies note that attacks on female journalists are becoming more frequent and that the number of such attacks is increasing compared to attacks on journalists.
"Also, all forms of interference with journalistic work are on the rise, so not only physical attacks, intimidation and harassment, but also various types of persecution. All these types of interference with journalistic work directly or indirectly through the chilling effect threaten freedom of expression," Gazivoda warned.
When it comes to Montenegro, he points out, an interdisciplinary approach is needed.
"Documentation and analysis of interference, with the participation of experts for gender equality, media associations and institutions can accurately show the forms of interference. Then, through the analysis, conclusions can be drawn as to whether the legal framework provides adequate protection, but also whether the institutional framework adequately enforces legal norms. Such an approach would lead to the conclusion whether in order to achieve results it is necessary to change regulations or to improve the readiness of institutions to solve such problems, or both," Gazivoda assessed.
His colleague from Kosovo, a lawyer Kusari butterfly claims that "the unequal position of women in society is also reflected in the media".
According to her, the patriarchal approach, sexist and discriminatory treatment towards journalists is "accepted normality".
Kusari emphasizes that it comes from the outside - from politicians, businessmen..., as well as from newsrooms and media houses.
"The government must respect journalists in general and women in particular and must not undertake anything that could be interpreted as an invitation to attack them. It must change criminal legislation by tightening attacks on journalists, especially female journalists, and must actively promote a culture of transparency and respect for freedom of expression and media freedom," says media lawyer Kusari.
Special focus on violence against women in journalism
President of the Media Union Radomir Krackovic emphasizes that the fact that two female journalists in Montenegro have been under constant police escort for several years shows how risky and dangerous the job of a journalist is.
"These journalists are known for their investigative work and writing about organized crime and corruption. Other female journalists in previous years were, from time to time, the target of attacks, threats or targeting, which further complicates the whole situation. It is not easy to live or work as a journalist under threats, and they can certainly affect self-censorship, and therefore the quality of work," says Kračković.
However, he points out, female journalists who are targeted should first report it to the competent authorities and their newsrooms.
"...To get the support of the media and wider community and condemnation of the attack from the highest officials (which does not always happen due to ideological or political differences within the political scene and public opinion) and to remain consistent in their further reporting. Of course, all this is not at all simple when there are threats and attacks, but it is the only way to defend journalistic and personal integrity", Kračković said.
According to him, the competent authorities should be asked to treat with full attention all attacks on journalists, and specifically on female journalists, because it is necessary to have a lot more sensibility.
"In recent years, the police and the prosecutor's office have shown a will to solve as many attacks as possible, and that should be welcomed, but also insist that additional work be done on those that have not yet been solved. Also, I expect the prosecutor's office and the courts to consider all attacks with due care and use the amended Criminal Code, according to which the penalties for attacks on journalists have been increased. The first cases that were treated according to these changes did not result in higher punishments for the attackers, and that must change if we want journalists to be better protected," emphasizes Kračković.
Dzhemail Reja, the president of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, points out that this organization carries out a series of activities with international partners "in order to strengthen the role of female journalists in the media, as well as to train a new generation of journalists for gender-sensitive reporting".
He announces the creation of an informal group of female journalists who will work in that direction. "AGK invites journalists in general, and women in particular, to report cases of attacks, harassment, unequal treatment in AGK newsrooms, so that we can hand over the cases to the Labor Inspectorate," he says.
According to the data of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, out of nine televised debates in prime time on national televisions, only two are hosted by women, and in one of them the host shared the leadership with a man.
Bonus video:
