The editorial board of the Radio and Television of Montenegro (RTCG) canceled an earlier invitation to the political director and MP of the URA Civic Movement, Ana Novaković Đurović, to be a guest of today's "Arguments" show, the party announced.
They claim that this was requested by the Minister of European Affairs and an official of the Europe Now Movement (PES) Maida Gorčević.
"It is an inappropriate and unprofessional decision of the editorial board of RTCG, because it is important that the citizens, whose money is used to finance the Public Service, hear what our MP has to say, considering that in the previous government she was the coordinator of the former Ministry of European Affairs. this is not the first time that this kind of journalistic unprofessionalism and violation of all ethical principles happen continuously, it is clear that RTCG has become a party newsletter of PES", according to URA.
As they said, in a situation where a serious debate on the European Commission's report could and should have been conducted from several sides, "PES opted for the lowest form of political pressure", conditioning its appearance, claims URA, on the fact that there would be no female MPs in the show and parties.
"With such a request, PES humiliates not only RTCG, but also all citizens of Montenegro, because they clearly say that they, instead of the Public Service, determine who will have access to public debates that citizens pay for. Unfortunately, by agreeing to this humiliating request, RTCG became an accomplice in an obvious attempt to stifle democratic dialogue".
They say that journalists and editors of shows are "victims of RTCG's editorial policy".
"We had a similar situation in the case of the show 'Naglas', and now this attitude is repeated in 'Argumenti'. The URA will not agree to such pressures. Our MP Ana Novaković-Đurović will continue to uncompromisingly represent the views of the citizens who have shown their trust in us. We invite editorial board of RTCG to protect its professional integrity and ensure an open platform for all political options, because otherwise, it becomes obvious that, under direct pressure from the authorities, the Public Service is transformed into a propaganda tool of only one political subject".
URA says that "with this approach, PES shows disrespect for the values of a free society".
"URA, on the other hand, will always defend democratic principles and the right of citizens to a free and transparent public debate, in which no one will be denied participation because of the political interests of any party," the announcement reads.
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