AMU on the availability of banned Russian media: We are not responsible for social networks

The Agency for Audiovisual Media Services (AMU) claims that it has implemented all measures within its jurisdiction and that the work of all broadcasters and cable operators is fully compliant with the decision of the Government of Montenegro to impose sanctions on Russia.

The AMU told "Vijesti" that they are responsible for ensuring the legality of the work of providers of audiovisual media (AVM) services and distributors of linear AVM services in Montenegro.

"Other digital platforms are not under our jurisdiction," said AMU in response to questions about whether certain content originating from banned Russian media outlets Russia Today, Sputnik and Rossiya 1 appears on some cable TV in Montenegro or other digital channels, as the State Department recently warned, and what steps will be taken to ensure that the ban on Russian media is fully respected.

The Ministry of Culture and Media told "Vijesti" this week that Russian state media outlets Russia Today (RT), Sputnik and Rossiya 1 are not officially registered or present in Montenegro, but some of their content may still appear on certain digital channels and global communication platforms, such as Telegram.

In April 2022, Montenegro joined the European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, banning several RT and Sputnik services from broadcasting. The government expanded the list in June last year, now including the channels Rossiya 1, Rossiya 24, Rossiya RTR, the newspaper New Eastern Outlook, the strategic analysis group Katehon...

AMU states that the key problem in the implementation of the measures is that, occasionally, within television programs that are not registered in Montenegro, rebroadcast content from Russian media appears.

"Given that these are foreign television programs, over which the Agency has no jurisdiction, the measure is implemented by ordering the cable distributor to black out these contents or exclude these programs from the television program offer," they explained.

They recall that during 2024, they imposed three measures temporarily restricting the rebroadcasting of the program "Informer TV", which is available through the operators "M:tel" and "m:SAT" due to the rebroadcasting of Russia Today and/or Sputnik content.

They say that they are monitoring the distributed and broadcast content of audiovisual media service providers with special care, "and in the event of any deviation from restrictive measures and the inclusion of programs or controversial content in the offer, they will take measures within their jurisdiction without delay."