The Council of the Radio Television of Montenegro (RTCG) concluded today that in the case of journalist Nevenka Ćirović there was an omission, but not in the case of her colleague Zoran Leković.
General Director of RTCG Božidar Šundić was recommended to initiate the procedure for the protection of her rights in the case of Ćirović.
Today, at the proposal of member Milan Radović, the Council discussed the letter of journalists Zoran Leković and Nevenka Ćirović under a separate item.
That point was supposed to be under current issues, but Radović suggested that due to serious allegations that the independence of journalists was threatened and that there was censorship in the statement of the head of the European Union (EU) delegation in Montenegro, Aiva Orav, that it be discussed separately, which Council members accepted.
Radović pointed out, during the discussion about the journalists' letters, that an omission was made and that someone must be held accountable for that.
"From the video material, which was delivered to us, it can be seen that Ambassador Orav's statement was censored," said Radović.
Director of Public Service Television, Slavko Đurđić, rejected allegations that it was censorship, stating that it was the usual procedure when editing news items.
"It is true that the editor omitted that one sentence of Ambassador Orav. This was done because that statement had already been broadcast in the news several times before," Đurđić pointed out.
He said that the only possible mistake was that the editor did not call journalist Ćirović to tell her that the statement had been shortened.
As for the Leković case, Đurđić emphasized that he will not comment on it, as the disciplinary proceedings are ongoing.
"Do you know what kind of insults we were exposed to on social networks, the management was called fascists," said Đurđić.
He said that he would present his position before the disciplinary commission, and that Leković hired lawyers from the "Rodić" office in the process.
Council member Vladimir Pavićević pointed out that what was done was unacceptable and should not have happened
Radović said that they did not receive any counterarguments that journalists' rights were not threatened.
"I propose to adopt the conclusion that their rights have been violated. As well as for the general director to initiate the procedure for the protection of their rights," pointed out Radović.
Šundić pointed out that he responsibly claims that no journalist was pressured.
"Cutting down contributions is not censorship. The editor has the right to do that, give the title, choose contributions, if he can't do that, then he is not independent," pointed out Šundić.
Council member Goran Sekulović pointed out that the aforementioned journalists were recognized as creative and that as such they should be allowed to do their work.
He suggested to Šundić that perhaps he should have acted preventively, to talk.
Council member Mimo Drašković also pointed out that there was an obvious omission from the video material in the case of journalist Ćirović.
He said that this is not a criticism of the management, but that they should do their best to prevent it from happening again.
Đurđić repeated that there was no censorship and that it was a standard editorial procedure, as well as that if it were to act as in the case of Ćirović, the Council would be overwhelmed with letters from journalists that their rights had been violated.
Đurđić said that the journalist Leković insulted him in the worst way on social networks.
"He insulted me as a director, not personally," said Đurđić.
Council member Slobodan Pajović proposed not to make a conclusion, but a recommendation, and to stop the disciplinary proceedings in the case of Lekovic.
"It is necessary to reduce tensions," Pajović said.
He stated that there were obviously omissions by both journalists and editors.
The President of the RTCG Council, Ivan Jovetić, emphasized that if journalists were threatened, it was unacceptable.
"This house must not hide information, whatever it may be," Jovetić pointed out.
Đurđić previously pointed out that he is not against the discussion, but he believes that it should not be a separate point.
He said that the journalists should have contacted the services of the Public Service, that is, that they did not follow the procedure.
Radović said that the Statute and Article 14 clearly defines that journalists are independent.
He also said that it can be seen from the letters and statements of the journalists that their independence is threatened by the management.
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