There is no place for threats: The EU Delegation strongly condemns the threats made to "Vijesti" journalist Jelena Jovanović

The European Union Delegation strongly condemns the threats against the journalist of "Vijesti" JElena Jovanovic. Any form of violence, threats or harassment of journalists is unacceptable and has no place in a democratic society.

"As a candidate country for membership in the European Union, Montenegro should implement a zero-tolerance policy towards threats and attacks on journalists, and provide them with institutional protection from all forms of violence. Journalists must have an enabling environment that allows them to work safely and securely, without fear of harassment, political pressure, censorship or persecution," the EU Delegation said.

A new wave of online threats against investigative journalist Jelena Jovanović, which once again threaten her personal integrity and safety, serves as a reminder that protecting journalists is not a privilege of the profession, but a necessity to protect the public interest and democratic values ​​of society.

This was previously assessed by the human rights and freedoms defender, reacting to the fact that Jovanović is under constant "fire" on social networks, where some commentators are practically calling for her lynching.

"Condemning the latest cases of intimidation, insults and targeting of Ms. Jovanović, who has suffered various types of attacks for years because of her work, we point out that any impunity for such acts leaves a mark beyond the endangered individual and the editorial office, because it sends a message to journalists who investigate topics of public interest that they themselves could become targets. We remind you that continuous threats, hate speech, misogyny, public discrediting and drawing targets for media workers threaten media freedoms and create an atmosphere of fear and pressure, which can lead to self-censorship and narrowing the space for free and critical reporting," reads the text from the institution she heads. Siniša Bjeković.

The state, it writes, has a positive obligation to ensure effective protection of journalists from threats, intimidation and violence, as well as to send a clear message through timely and effective institutional responses that such attacks will not be tolerated.

"The role of investigative journalists is particularly important, as they, working in the public interest, raise issues of general importance, pointing out various social anomalies and abuses, both in the public government system and in the private sector. In young democracies, their role is of particular importance, as they contribute to building a culture of accountability, the rule of law and citizens' trust in democratic processes," the response added.

After another series of threats and insults on social media, Jovanović filed a police report via the PolicijaCG application, namely the Podgorica Basic State Prosecutor's Office (ODT).

The inspirer of the new campaign against the organized crime researcher was once again a person with the profile of "Niko Kater", who, among other things, stated that she was a traitor to Montenegro, a member of the Skalja clan, but also a disgrace to journalism.

Then his like-minded people lined up, calling the award-winning journalist the most derogatory names and accusing her of "slandering families" with her articles.

"Only she knows how much malice there is in her, a snotty, slimy snotty, an associate of the Skaljar clan. How many honest people she has slandered and young men sent to their deaths with her texts. May God judge her in the end as she wills," he wrote. Krsto Kukuličić, for whom that is not the only offensive comment.

Certain Milan Djukanovic then states that it is a Montenegrin journalist who "hates her origins", while Zeljko Prelevic calls to say "which clan bought her two apartments".

Jovanović told the prosecution that she recently participated in a show where she said that she could not and would not reveal sources related to Sky Communications, which was the reason for "Niko Kater" to open a hate polygon on Facebook.

"Jelena has buttered her head, she won't say who is providing her with the information! Of course we all know who it is and that his head is buttered too," was the initial comment, followed by new ones with threats and insults.

And after Jovanović reported the case, the orchestrated hunt continued - a user of that network with the nickname The But He wrote: "Many of these people have their own moles! They should be discovered and punished most severely - domestic quislings, and we know how to deal with them."

Due to similar matters, the journalist reported the initiator in early October, or December of last year.

Emphasizing that this is a systematic campaign against her, Jovanović explains that the consequences of such actions are well known - these posts are regularly followed by comments from people who claim that people are killing because of her, that she is responsible for the deaths of others, that she has "turned families into black" and that society would be better off without her.

"In a country where a journalist was killed, and where two mass murders have also occurred, where dozens of people have been killed, including innocent victims, such messages are not harmless. When you create an atmosphere for years in which one person is presented as the source of all problems, as someone who is killed and suffered because of them, then you consciously encourage an environment in which someone might conclude that a showdown with that person would be justified," she said.

Jovanović therefore called on all those making such accusations to submit evidence to the competent authorities: "If they claim that I am connected to criminal clans, that I work on someone's orders, that I am paid for the texts or that I am responsible for anyone's death, let them prove it to the prosecutor's office. Anything else is brutal slander and an organized attempt at discredit and dehumanization."

Jovanović has been the target of threats for years due to his investigative work on organized crime, corruption, and controversial businesses in Montenegro.

Due to the assessment by security services that her life is in danger, she has had police protection for years.