There were 20 attacks on journalists last year, which is an increase compared to 2023, when 16 such cases were recorded, said Radomir Krackovic, president of the Media Union of Montenegro (SMCG), during the "Stories about Journalism" forum.
"We demand that all attacks on journalists must be severely punished. Only with stricter punishments can the message be sent that these and similar attacks will not be tolerated...", said Krackovic, adding that the pressure on the work of journalists has increased.
He said that for most journalists and media workers, "the economic status has partially improved."
"The data still indicates that a large number of colleagues receive a salary that is below the average in Montenegro or slightly above it...", he said.
Krackovic said that journalists have found themselves targeted by politicians, officials...
"Other media outlets are being targeted and called the most derogatory names by politicians and officials. We must all stand against this, all together," he stressed.
He said that the new media law also regulates the issue of financing local public broadcasters.
Lasica: Buying out service would mean a lot to all of us
TV Television Vijesti journalist Danijela Lasica raised the issue of seniority for journalists who worked as freelancers.
"Croatian colleagues have made it necessary to have some proof that you worked... Buying out your work experience would mean something to all of us," Lasica pointed out.
Krackovic said that the Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue, Naida Nisic, stated that the Government would strive to pay everyone's seniority.
"There is a will in the Government and we want this issue to be resolved," he stressed.
Vasiljević: We stopped working for the one who is our employer - reader
Stevo Vasiljević said that a journalist should not belong to the media, but rather take photographs and write for citizens.
"It is high time that we as journalists try to fight for our freedom of action and that the newsroom we work in has no influence on the way we do it," said Vasiljević.
He problematized that the media often report texts from marketing agencies and "we have stopped working for the one who is our employer - the reader."
"We don't have the resources to work... A pencil is not enough for us. The lifespan of the technology we use is approximately five years...", he said.
Nikolić: Allow press photographers, journalists and cameramen to attend Parliament sessions for longer than 15 minutes
Olivera Nikolić (Media Institute) said that news photography is very important information about the events we witness.
She said that she would request that news photographers, journalists and cameramen be allowed to attend sessions of the Parliament of Montenegro for longer than 15 minutes.
"We see that it is not good practice that journalists can only enter and record for 15 minutes. It would be important to make a meaningful agreement so that the work of the MPs is not disrupted," said Nikolić.
Vuković: We have taken several steps back when it comes to the transparency of the work of our political actors
Duško Vuković (Media Center) said that any gathering that is not closed to the public must ensure the presence of journalists and crews at all times.
"We have taken several steps back when it comes to the transparency of the work of our political actors," he said.
Martinović: We are deeply polarized and divided, because on the ground we forget that we are colleagues
Editor and journalist Jelena Martinović said that editors-in-chief are not the problem.
"We are not all journalists. I cannot call some colleagues newsrooms. We are the problem - the media is a reflection of what reality is. We are deeply polarized and divided, because we in the field forget that we are colleagues... I would start with myself first. A journalist must have integrity," she pointed out.
He believes it would be beneficial if SMCG "made announcements about who reported on what."
"... And based on that, I brought some instructions, guidelines and analyses... Our society is both horizontally and vertically divided... What saves Montenegro compared to other countries is that, fortunately, we don't have 'yellow vests' and tabloids and because we are small," Martinović assessed.
Camović Velicković: We can create conditions for things to change, but we cannot change the thing itself
Vice President of the Media Union of Montenegro Marijana Camović Veličković said that the Union can advocate ideas that can change laws.
"We can create conditions for things to change, but we cannot change things. We change things at that level. We will try to change the reporting from the Parliament and we hope that something will happen there," said Camović Velicković.
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