Vujović: A scandalous text on the Aktuelno portal, an attempt to give a religious and national context to a terrible crime

"Irresponsible media such as the Aktuelno portal, with content like this, not only violate the ethical standards of journalism, but also cross all boundaries of the right to freedom of expression, which is unacceptable in a democratic society," said the Minister of Culture and Media.

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Vujović, Photo: Gardasevicphotography
Vujović, Photo: Gardasevicphotography
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Regarding the scandalous text on the Aktuelno portal, published under the title "Thirteenth victim of the Svetosava ritual massacre in Cetinje", I feel the duty to express the deepest condemnation of such behavior and warn of the serious consequences that such content can have on society, Tamara Vujović, Minister of Culture and media.

"This headline contains elements that encourage hate speech, trying to give this terrible crime a religious and national context. Such behavior seriously disrupts inter-religious and inter-ethnic harmony in Montenegro and represents a direct threat to our fundamental values ​​of unity and multiculturalism," Vujović said in a statement.

She added that the majority of Montenegrin media showed a high degree of professionalism and responsibility in reporting on the tragedy in Cetinje.

"Many of them, aware of the sensitivity of the moment, even turned off the comments below the texts to prevent abuse and the spread of hate speech. However, irresponsible media such as the Aktuelno portal with such content not only violate the ethical standards of journalism, but also cross all the boundaries of the right to freedom of expression , which is unacceptable in a democratic society," said Vujović.

She said that she wanted to emphasize that similar dangerous interpretations appeared in some other, mainly regional media, which connected this crime with equally gruesome constructions, such as that it was "God's punishment towards Cetinje".

"These contents are deeply offensive and equally harmful, because they incite intolerance and deepen divisions in our society. I call on all relevant institutions, as well as judicial authorities, to consider such cases most seriously and to take the necessary steps in accordance with the law in order to protect society "Montenegro must remain a country where togetherness, mutual respect and responsible action, especially in the media space, remain fundamental values," said Vujović.

She said that the Ministry of Culture and Media will continue to advocate for the improvement of the media framework and the consistent application of the law in order to ensure professional and responsible information to the public.

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