We are committed to creating better conditions for media freedom, democracy and the right of our citizens to true and accurate information.
This was said by the Minister of Culture and Media, Tamara Vujović, at the event "Forum for journalists: where is journalism today" in Podgorica, organized by the Media Union of Montenegro and the US Embassy.
She said that journalism creates a critical image in society.
"Today we have a lot of information, we are exposed to a lot of knowledge, but we don't believe everything unconditionally, because we know that there is a deepfake. We have to know how to understand what the media offers. As a minister, I want to promise you that the 44th Government of Montenegro will not close its eyes to the media challenges," said Vujović.
Tomorrow, he says, is the first meeting of the working group that worked on the texts of the media laws. Those laws, among other things, promote competition, prevent abuse of a dominant position on the market...
"According to the changes in the law, a journalist is defined as a natural person who deals with the collection and intervention of media information. We put an emphasis on educating citizens on how to navigate the media space," Vujović pointed out.
She said that the divisions among journalists must be clearer.
"Communicators have become very important when it comes to reporting from war zones or protests. They can trigger community responses more violently and strongly," she said.
The minister emphasized that the Media Pluralism Fund will be 0,2 percent of the current budget.
"We believe that this increase will contribute to creating topics of public importance. It will empower the media to become more responsible employers and help them survive. The safety of journalists is also crucial. We are burdened by unsolved cases from the past. I will always strongly condemn any an act of violence and intimidation of journalists...", said Vujović.
She pointed out that "the global journalism scene is never worse".
According to Vujović, Russia, China, Israel and Myanmar are leading the way in arresting journalists. "We have to look at ourselves in relation to the world in that context...", reminded Vujović.
The head of the department for media, education and culture of the US Embassy in Montenegro, Steven Drajkorn, said that journalism is a constant professional struggle. He congratulated Montenegro on the achieved media freedom in the last few years.
"There is still a lot to do. Wages and working conditions must be better. Media owners must fulfill their obligations.
It is important to respect the rule of law, but I am concerned about the trend of hatred and threats to which journalists are exposed. The misogynistic attacks to which female journalists are exposed are also disturbing. It is imperative that the media resist political pressures and affiliations. They should not serve as propaganda or a means of conflict...", Drajkorn said.
The president of the Media Union of Montenegro, Radomir Kračković, said that this organization noticed that low pay is still the biggest problem of journalists.
Last year, he points out, the trade union registered 16 cases of attacks and that in the online version. He said that they recognize different forms of editorial policy of Montenegrin media.
"Editorial policy must be free and independent. It must not be a reason for unfounded targeting," Kračković said.
TV Vijesti journalist Nikola Aleksić Milosavić said he did not feel good that he was "the only journalist in Montenegro who received death threats last year".
He pointed out that he was surprised by the support of colleagues from other media. He also said that he received the least amount of solidarity from the people he works with on a daily basis.
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