Media freedoms in the region are collapsing dramatically, and Montenegro, regardless of its level of progress in negotiations with the EU, is no exception, she said. coordinator of the EU integration program at the Center for Civic Education (CGO) Ana Vujošević.
She is today she gave a presentation in the European Parliament at a hearing organized by the ALDE group on the topic: "The situation in the media and media freedoms in the Western Balkans".
Vujošević also raised the question of "what the EU and its institutions can do additionally through the negotiation process to help improve media freedom in the region."
"The media scene in Montenegro is deeply and widely politicized and polarized. In addition, practice has shown numerous inadequacies of the legal framework, especially when it comes to the possibility of government influence on the media market, i.e. supporting those media that report positively on the authorities and punishing those who criticize the authorities through the denial of financial resources and other repressive measures of the state administration that lead to into the question of the sustainability of critically oriented media. The consequence of that is the ever-present covert censorship. And some of the first victims of this development of the situation are the journalistic code and professional standards, as a result of which the quality of journalism in Montenegro has significantly declined," said Vujošević during her presentation.
She reminded that the current situation was preceded by a period of "TV censorship", which was marked by numerous and mostly never explained attacks on journalists and the property of media that report critically, where the most drastic example is the murder of the editor-in-chief of the daily Dan Duško Jovanović, as well as obstructions Commission for monitoring investigations into cases of violence against journalists by the authorities, stating that all of this "had and continues to have incalculable consequences on the overall environment in which journalists work, causing insecurity and self-censorship."
"In recent years, we have documented covert censorship, that is, significant financial pressures through which the authorities try to influence the editorial policy of the media through selective and non-transparent funding. CGO's findings indicate that covert censorship is primarily carried out through political, discretionary and non-transparent distribution of budget money and state aid to the media. The lack of transparency, benchmarks and impartial procedures when allocating public funds to the media produces serious deviations in the media market, which improves the business of some media and calls into question the existence of others. This is directly related to whether these media outlets have a supportive or critical approach when reporting on government activities," Vujošević said.
She elaborated on key data from CGO's research, evaluating: "I believe that this ratio of figures illustrates the power that the state has over the media, and when you add to that the previous experience of unexplained attacks and self-censorship, then the picture is complete and unfortunately rather dismal, both for the sustainability of critically oriented media and for the professionalism of the media".
Vujošević apostrophized that "the media and the NGO sector in Montenegro were and remain decisively important actors in exposing numerous abuses by the authorities" and that it is important to regulate the method of financing the media from public funds, with the presentation of amendments prepared by the CGO in that direction.
"The Montenegrin society faces a huge challenge in the promotion of truly free media that practice responsible, fact-based reporting and reject official manipulations. It is in the public interest to have media that can remain independent and persistent despite obvious political and economic influence and pressure, and thus contribute to the building of responsible institutions. Improvement of legal solutions, consistent application of laws and regulations that prevent government interference in media operations and reporting, as well as work on strengthening professional standards and adherence to the code of ethics are key to the recovery of the media scene in Montenegro," concluded Vujošević.
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