The Society of Professional Journalists (DPNCG) called on public officials to refrain from, as they stated, attacking, harassing and hindering the work of journalists, and especially from "seeking justice" before the courts for analytical and investigative texts.
The DPNCG said that even the change of the three-decade government did not result in the arrival of young politicians who understand the interest of the public and the role of the media.
"In Montenegro, the media is still perceived only as a means of conveying their messages, while hardly anyone understands the obligation of analytical journalism whose goal is to warn of social anomalies," the announcement states.
It is added that journalists are often treated as "carriers" of microphones and cameras and "a necessary evil through which interests are promoted".
The DPNCG said that politicians do not know that journalism, which respects ethical standards, is a job of public importance, and that few of them think about it.
"Neither does the Government contribute to such a climate, whose officials need to undergo serious training when it comes to freedom of expression," added the DPNCG.
According to them, it was always inadmissible to always rob journalists of the means to work, censor them, disparage them and incite them. "As a result, we have had attacks and threats, of which, unfortunately, many and the most serious have not been resolved," stated the DPNCG.
They reminded ministers, local officials and all public officials that the standard of the European Court of Human Rights and Freedoms (ECtHR) is to protect freedom of expression and that they are obliged to endure a greater degree of criticism.
The DPNCG pointed out that the ECtHR stated in the case of Jerusalem v. Austria that freedom of expression includes the right to public discussion on issues of general interest, and the election of officials to the highest state positions is of general interest and as such is subject to public debate.
"That's why we expect an end to the hijacking of phones, filing of lawsuits, accusations of bribed journalists without any evidence, ignoring requests for free access to information, keeping silent on inquiries from newsrooms, preventing journalists from entering "protected buildings", said the DPNCG.
They invited fellow journalists, videographers, photojournalists, to turn to them for legal assistance in all such and other cases.
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