Free and professional media should be a fundamental commitment of the entire society, announced the Agency for Electronic Media (AEM).
They congratulated all journalists and media houses on the World Media Freedom Day (May 3) with the desire to improve their status in anticipation of the adoption of new media laws.
"This date is an opportunity to remind of the importance of the mission of media workers who perform their work ethically, despite their poor economic status and frequent attempts to limit their freedom," announced Damir Nikočević, public relations and project management officer at AEM.
"Although today access to information is simpler than ever, the role of the media that adheres to basic professional standards is to publish only verified and credible information, and to keep public opinion awake, reporting on topics of public interest. Freedom of the media implies a strong and professional investigative, absence censorship and self-censorship, balanced reporting and pluralism of opinion," says Nikočević.
Only in this way, he points out, can a transparent and open society be created and contribute to the overall democratization of Montenegro.
"At a time when fake news, disinformation and media manipulation are a serious threat to the overall democratic order, not only in Montenegro and the region, but also beyond - the media represent a key barrier for individuals and groups, with a lack of democratic capacity, to threaten the foundations of that freedom. Therefore , we once again emphasize the importance of adequate protection of the working and economic status of journalists and media workers who represent the everyday true protectors of the public interest, and who are still, unfortunately, a frequent target of verbal and physical attacks, just because they are doing their job," he said. Nikočević.
He said that the Agency remains committed to the principle of full media freedom and its mission of consistent application of legal powers, both from the current Law on Electronic Media and from the future Law on Audio-Visual Media Services, which is expected to be adopted.
"Media literacy and its strengthening among the professional, and especially the lay public, will be an even stronger focus of the Agency, bearing in mind that with the new Law AEM becomes a key institution in charge of the field of media literacy. In that mission, strengthening free journalism and objectively informing the public, AEM remains open to cooperation with all actors in order to welcome each subsequent Media Freedom Day in a more positive environment," the announcement concludes.
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