Media literacy is an essential tool that enables media workers to carry out their work responsibly, protect the integrity of information and preserve the democratic space, Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović said.
At the conference "Empowering media workers through media literacy", organized by the Media Union (SMCG), she emphasized that media literacy is a basic weapon in the fight to protect freedom of speech and democracy.
Vujović said that today, more than ever, we are witnessing rapid and continuous changes in the technological world, which bring with them incredible opportunities, but also great challenges.
"In today's environment, media literacy is an essential tool that enables media workers to carry out their work responsibly, protect the integrity of information and, ultimately, preserve the democratic space in which we live," Vujović said.
She said that everyone today is witnessing enormous changes in the media landscape, but that, nevertheless, one constant remains unchanged - the role of journalists as guardians of the truth and professional standards.
"In Montenegro, we have journalists who are brave, ethical and dedicated to the search for the truth, however, with the acceleration of digitization, the race against time to publish a story, the challenges facing media workers are becoming more and more complex," stated Vujović.
As she said, fake news, manipulation and disinformation not only threaten the professionalism of media workers, but also pose a serious threat to the democratic order, if they are not recognized.
"Dangers that come with unverified information, propaganda campaigns, destabilization attempts also create enormous pressure and challenge, that's why media literacy is a basic weapon in the fight to protect freedom of speech and democracy," Vujović pointed out.
She said that it is necessary to invest in the constant improvement of knowledge and skills.
Vujović said that through the Media Strategy, they are making comprehensive analyzes of media literacy, which includes all target groups, in order to get a detailed insight into the levels of media literacy among citizens and formulate appropriate recommendations for further improvement.
She reminded that the formation of a national council for media literacy is planned, which, as she stated, will ensure systematic planning and monitoring of activities in this area.
As she added, the council will consist of key actors, such as members from the ministries of education, science and innovation, culture and media, the Electronic Media Agency and civil society organizations.
According to Vujović, the media strategy foresees continuous training for all social groups, and annual analyzes on the level of media literacy are also planned, which will help monitor progress and respond to new challenges.
"Caution and education do not end here. "Without constant improvement and adaptation, even the most attentive and knowledgeable media professional can become a victim of manipulation," said Vujović.
She pointed out that this is why projects like the one implemented by SMCG, with the support of the Embassy of the United States of America (USA), are of crucial importance.
The American ambassador to Montenegro, Judy Reising Rajnke, said that the work of SMCG is very proactive, not only in terms of improving the working conditions of journalists, but also because that organization takes care of preserving journalistic integrity.
She said that it is imperative for media houses to resist political influence, because it is in the interest of citizens.
Media houses, as she pointed out, should work in the interest of citizens and engage in real journalism.
"True journalism does not promote political agendas, it does not promote or nurture divisions, it provides information based on facts, so that citizens can decide for themselves about some things," said Rajnke.
She pointed out that the information received from all independent media houses is very important.
"Compared to your neighbors and the world, the awareness of free journalism is really growing year by year, as well as freedom of speech," Rajnke believes.
As she stated, Montenegro has adopted the Media Strategy and thus the Government has committed itself to reform the media sector in the next five years.
"This includes media literacy, the promotion of gender-sensitive writing in journalism and, in accordance with that strategy, we also have the obligation of employers to engage in dialogue with media workers and unions and negotiate. It's a good step," Rajnke pointed out.
It is very important, as she said, to ensure the independence of media coverage from political structures, the independence of media houses in terms of finances, and then improvement in terms of ownership in the media.
The president of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Radomir Kračković, said that empowerment through media literacy is one of the fields in which they strive to help journalists.
"Technological changes in the media sector are very dynamic and fast and come at a time when journalists and media workers in the world, but also in Montenegro, are facing unfavorable working conditions," Kračković said.
As he stated, journalists and media workers often do not have the opportunity for training and improvement, which makes it difficult to adapt to new technologies.
"All these changes also bring new pressures on the media community, so journalists and media workers are often the targets of attacks on their personal and professional dignity and exposed to insults, often via digital channels," Kračković said.
According to him, such an environment endangers the mental health of employees, but also reduces their productivity and professional development.
"All these circumstances can lead to a decline in trust in the media, and we must not allow that," Kračković stressed.
As he said, when journalists do not have the opportunity to continuously develop, their ability to provide accurate and quality information also decreases.
"Trust in the media is becoming a key resource that we have to fight for, and besides us, decision-makers must also be aware of this and help us in this fight, because only objective and credible media can properly defend democracy in modern society," he pointed out. is Kračković.
He said that continuous education and training should be ensured, so that employees are ready for all the challenges brought by technological changes.
"It is also necessary to create and fight for an environment in which journalists are protected from all attacks and pressures, so that they can dedicate themselves to their basic task, to inform the public in an objective and impartial way," Kračković stressed.
According to him, media literacy is one of the powerful responses to misinformation.
"False information, bots, and propaganda content circulate quickly today, and that's why journalists must develop a high level of media literacy," Kračković pointed out.
The key problem, he added, is the speed with which this disinformation spreads.
"The solution lies in thorough verification of sources, use of content verification tools and constant learning in order for journalists to maintain the trust of oublike," Kračkovic said.
Journalist of the independent daily Vijesti Marija Pešić said that the "label" of a young journalist did not suit her in the beginning, because she was followed by everything that others said about young journalists, and created an image in advance that was difficult to deal with.
"I very quickly accepted that term and wore it with pride, sometimes even presenting myself as such, because I realized that reality, as it often happens, is different from prejudices," said Pešić.
Young journalists, as she pointed out, bring a new perspective to journalism and combine traditional professionalism with the modern age.
"They are the ones who want to learn. They are the ones who believe. They also believe that journalism is not only a calling, a profession, but a lifestyle, and above all, a mission for the benefit of society, a fight for the public interest and the truth," Pešić emphasized.
She stated that she used to think that a story was successful only if it was on the front page, if it was breaking news and contributed to concrete changes.
"Now I think something different. If because of my work, or our work, only one person is better informed today, and that with true information, the job is well done," said Pešić.
She added that the job is done well if only one person gets a place to speak in the public space about everyday problems, which are not the focus of the political elites, as well as if only one problem is highlighted, however small it may be.
Pešić said that she met a lot of editors and colleagues.
"I would be lying if I said that I haven't had negative experiences, that I haven't had male editors whose attitude towards young female colleagues is at least discriminatory, and at worst violent," said Pešić.
As she stated, underestimation, contempt, insults, sexist comments behind closed doors, in the field, at meetings, are just one part of what not only experienced journalists face, but also those who are just starting out.
That, as she said, was just one of the forms of abuse of faith and the desire of young journalists to be part of journalism and to give themselves to the fight for a better society.
"That ugly image of older colleagues was copied by those who did not recognize my ambition and desire as a tool for manipulation and abuse, but as something that should be nurtured, built and improved, because it is not only in the interest of the editorial office, but in the interest of the truth, the public and of the common good", Pešić pointed out.
She assessed that there is a narrative in Montenegro that if journalists are attacked, suffer some kind of harassment or violence, it means that they are good at their job, that they are "digging" in the right place and dealing with the right topics.
Pešić said that she recognizes the generation of young journalists that they do not agree to that, that they do not want to carry violence as a "token" of a job well done, but treat it exactly as violence is - unacceptable.
"As a token of a well-defined job, we want to carry better working conditions, preservation of our mental health and better earnings, because we also want to break the well-established phrase that "journalism is a job that we will not eat bread from", Pešić pointed out.
Accordingly, as she said, they bring a new perspective on the profession, on the role of social networks in journalism and broaden the range of topics of investigative journalism.
"Maybe it sounds like I'm saying that we are the best thing that happened to Montenegrin journalism. Far from it," said Pešić.
According to her, the attitude towards young journalists at the beginning of their career can result in a chain reaction, which will later prove to be one of the best things for the Montenegrin media scene.
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