Leković: I did not ask AMU for repressive measures, but for a professional and responsible approach to the issue of media freedom

I did not ask the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services (AMU) for repressive measures, but for a professional and responsible approach to the issue of media freedom and the protection of journalists from various types of pressure, Democratic Montenegro MP Momčilo Leković announced today.

He was reacting to today's AMU statement, which states, among other things, that the agency's responsibilities include supervision of audiovisual media service providers in terms of compliance with legal obligations, but that they do not include assessing or establishing facts that are the subject of proceedings by other competent authorities. The AMU said this after Leković called on them at a press conference held today to make a statement regarding the published correspondence between the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) MP Ivan Vuković and the alleged head of the so-called Grand Clan, Aleksandar Mijajlović, as well as evidence in the possession of the SDT.

Leković stated in the statement that "in institutions of great social importance, such as the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services, not only a formal reference to legal jurisdiction is expected, but also a responsible social attitude towards phenomena that seriously affect the media space and public trust."

"I am aware that the AMU is not a criminal prosecution body, nor an institution competent for arrests and investigations. I did not ask for that. However, precisely because this is an issue that touches on the very essence of the media profession, I believe that you were obliged to at least react professionally and institutionally. Even when there is no formal jurisdiction to conduct the procedure, there is a social and professional responsibility to publicly point out dangerous phenomena that can threaten media freedom and the integrity of the journalistic profession. My reaction goes precisely in that direction. Because, if such cases are not responded to, the question arises as to how we as a society can prevent further erosion of trust in the media," Leković pointed out.

He added that "this is not just about individual journalists or editors who may make certain contacts, but also all those professionals who may be exposed to pressure precisely because they do not want to be part of such structures and mechanisms."

"Therefore, I believe that AMU had both a moral and social obligation to speak out in a timely manner and send a clear message that media freedom, professional distance and journalist independence are values ​​that must be protected. There are issues that transcend daily politics and represent a general social interest. This is one of those issues," said Leković.

He said that it is easiest to deal with statistics, viewership and formal parameters of media work.

"However, a much more serious problem for society is represented by phenomena that violate the professional integrity of the media and create an environment of political-media and interest-based pressures. Any institution that distances itself from the essence of the problem risks losing the meaning of its existence. I repeat once again, I did not ask the AMU for repressive measures, but for a professional and responsible attitude towards the issue of media freedom and the protection of journalists from various types of pressures," Leković stated.

In his words, it is necessary to clearly distinguish professional journalism from organized propaganda and interest activities that attempt to present themselves as media work.

"If institutions do not feel the need to at least provide an expert opinion on such phenomena and contribute to the public debate, then the question of their real social role is justifiably raised. I make all these remarks in good faith, with the expectation that they will be understood as a contribution to a serious discussion about the state of the media and the need to protect professional standards. Of particular concern is the fact that for months we have been witnessing brutal campaigns on social networks, targeting, insulting and defaming people and their families, while some media outlets broadcast such content without a clear professional distance. The question can rightly be asked whether there were adequate reactions from institutions to this? Unfortunately, the public did not notice them," said Leković.