Director of the Directorate for Media Neđeljko Rudović said, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of "Vijesti", that the jubilees of "Vijesti" are in fact jubilees of freedom.
"25 years pass like 25 minutes. From this perspective, it is like that, in contrast to the one in October 1997, when I became part of the newsroom, which was being created and was being built for months and years.
"At that time, minutes lasted for hours, we learned from each text, absorbed knowledge and honed our skills, and the story we brought was our small triumph. The one we didn't was a defeat that is actually an integral part of the next success.
"We slowly put together a mosaic, starting with surveys in Freedom Street, reports from every remotely important event, in order to learn the most important thing - to find the story that some, who think they are important, are trying to hide.
"The search continues day by day, each one is a challenge that we want to overcome. Years later, we dared to try our hand at reporting, analysis and commentary. But the most important and sweetest thing was to publish what was 'forbidden'.
"The essence of the mission and importance of 'Vijesti' is exactly that. Because the point was not only in an exclusive story, the point was to develop a civic culture that implied that people are in the center of attention, and that they in government and politics are nothing more than their delegates to whom they have temporarily given the power to make decisions on their behalf and for their benefit.
"There are no masters, only officials. This is the message that 'Vijesti' broadcast and which slowly began to change Montenegro and give it the contours of a society that is moving towards the family of Western democracies.
"Based on the foundations laid by 'Monitor', 'Vijesti' decisively emancipated Montenegro.
"In the area of freedom, which was spread by 'Vijesti', non-governmental organizations sprung up that additionally sought the voice of citizens, other media...
"A broad alliance was created that was in fact the best representative of the citizens, an alliance that tirelessly asks questions and seeks answers.
"Whoever is in power, now understands that he is obliged to provide answers and that it does not pay him to hide the truth.
"That alliance and its growth is the key to the survival and development of Montenegro as an organized state. Policies and parties in power change, but the nucleus of a normal and healthy Montenegro is free and professional media and strong and influential non-governmental organizations.
"Montenegro needs an impenetrable barrier against primitivism, abuse of faith, hypocrisy, beautifully packaged lies, double standards, shameless fraud, bestial spreading of hatred... The first step towards the goal is to constantly expose all those who use it to maintain and gain power.
"That's why Montenegro needs journalists who stand on the postulates of a sense of responsibility towards the public and duty towards their society.
"That duty implies worshiping before only one saint - the truth. In order to respect it, perseverance is needed, sometimes courage.
"In the next 25 years, the field of freedom will continue to expand. Not only because it is one of the never-ending stories, but also because of the feeling of gratitude towards all those who, in order to protect Montenegrin journalism, faced bullets and sticks, planted bombs and fires , eyeless intrigues and 'generous offers'.
"I was at Vijesti for 17 years. I am a witness that success does not always have to be the result of a strict, military organization. In the newsroom with which we grew up, opposition was not considered a sin. Debate was a common, almost daily occurrence. Saying and defending your position it was not a sin. On the contrary. That's why the jubilees of 'Vijesti' are in fact the jubilees of freedom.
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