The dignity of journalists in Montenegro, both in terms of security and economic status, can only be restored by the system, according to the non-governmental organization (NGO) 35mm.
As they said from that NGO, being a journalist today in Montenegro means living and working trapped between low incomes and the fact that any journalist can become a target overnight if he dares to criticize the powerful, shed light on the affair and call for accountability.
It is added that the overall working conditions are poor, including unpaid overtime, safety risks and various forms of pressure, both from media owners and third parties.
35mm said that it is inappropriate to talk about any progress compared to last year's holiday, when it comes to the conditions in which journalists work.
"Because this Day of Journalists is also welcomed by Montenegrin public speakers without solving the cases of the murder of Duško Jovanović, the attempted murders of Olivera Lakić and Tufik Softić, as well as with increasingly frequent attacks on our colleagues," says the statement signed by the editor of media programs in that NGO, Milica Đokđurić.
35mm stated that if the polarization and politicization of the media is added to the economic and security conditions in which journalists work, which can be "reached with your fingers", instead of a congratulation, as they stated, a minute of silence would be appropriate for this once honorable profession.
"It seems that only the system can restore the dignity of journalists in Montenegro, both in terms of security and economic status, until all of us work on self-regulation, which is traditionally our weak point," the 35mm press release states.
They believe that improving the position of journalists, protecting them and adopting the best practices of EU member states should be a priority for every government.
It is added that if the government does not do this, there is a risk that the professionalism and dignity of those who directly contribute to the development of democracy, from holiday to holiday, will only sink.
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