Nikola Dragaš, ND "Vijesti":
Journalism today, in Montenegro, but also in a significant part of the Western world, where it deserves to be, and where it absolutely should not be - is on a safe path to a secondary social role. A calling that, if its commandments are followed, is as important to society as any "healthy" state institution or service, is increasingly becoming a "broom" of politics and big business, increasingly irrelevant in the age of the invasion of social networks.
However, the reasons for the bad fate should be sought primarily within our own ranks, and only then should we discuss the circumstances (without pointing fingers at them) that have changed not only the profession, but humanity as a whole (the Internet, the rapid advancement of technology, networks, artificial intelligence...). If it were not for the unnatural fornication - the marriage of journalism with politics and business, the lack of concern (first by media owners, and then by the state) about the salaries and working conditions of journalists, and if there was a shred of journalistic solidarity regarding at least one important issue of the profession - journalism would not be where it is. In addition, the picture of the gloomy reality is made even darker by what is looming on the horizon - the possibility that "the last slave-owning profession" (A. Tijanić) will become a slave to artificial intelligence.
But despite all this, I am convinced that this is exactly the time that calls for journalism, that is, that the need for it is not decreasing, but rather growing. This is because citizens increasingly need interpreters of reality, who will surely guide them through the boundless labyrinths of data. In order to succeed in this and for journalism to return to where it was, literacy, knowledge and integrity must be demonstrated. Otherwise, the "seventh power" and the "fourth branch of government" will be gone in three beautiful days.
Jelena Nelević, "Victory":
Journalists are not enemies of the state or society, just because they publish something that a certain group does not like. Of course, I am talking here about those who adhere to the code of ethics, because I do not believe that all journalists and my colleagues are the same. Also, I do not believe that all media outlets that exist in Montenegro are the media. Unfortunately, in the eyes of the public, we are all lumped together, and those who violate standards are often the most visible, because scandals and yellow exclusives reach the audience more easily, and they ring in the head longer than a serious investigative text. Journalists, in ideal conditions, report, analyze, expose, point out problems, corruption, to which both decision-makers and citizens should react positively. However, in a polarized society like the Montenegrin one, everyone takes from that basket what they like, and attacks what they do not like. Correction disappears, and divisions persist even within the guild itself. The pressure of politicians and those in positions of power on the media spills over to citizens, and hence the increased number of attacks on media workers. Because a politician will certainly not get his hands dirty, but his follower will. Internal pressures in newsrooms make the whole situation difficult, and economic dependence and fear for existence make certain things often swallowed. When the integrity is seriously threatened, the journalist decides to leave, most often to completely leave the profession he loves. Salary as a corrective factor of survival ceases to be valid in those cases, because some things cannot be swallowed. Small earnings, below average, because journalists work for the minimum, and editors for average, making the profession not refreshing. There are fewer and fewer young people who agree to do a job for little money that separates you from family and friends. And there are fewer and fewer rational and existential reasons for doing this business. Enthusiasm, empathy and feeling for the vulnerable in this society remain, for whom journalists are a voice. And he hopes that social networks will not be treated as media, because we are not, and that is less and less clear to colleagues.
Aleksandra Mudreša, TV Vijesti:
To begin with, let's create an environment in which congratulations on the occasion of Journalists' Day will make sense. While they curse, beat, and do not allow us to do our jobs and be at the scene of events, the government promotes discrediting and labeling journalists and lack of transparency, not what they declaratively advocate for.
Zoran Leković, RTCG:
Last year, like many years before it, was not very good for journalists and journalism. However, there is a clear institutional desire to improve, especially the protection of journalists, who are constantly exposed to various kinds of pressure, physical violence and threats. We will all remember the physical attack by a well-known businessman and his security guards on journalist Ana Raičković and her family members. The state says - zero tolerance for attacks on journalists. It is up to us to hope,
And while we hope that someone will not wait around the corner and beat us up for doing their job, society fails to confront the reasons for such behavior, which is not necessarily physical in nature, but is also expressed in insults on the networks, which, unfortunately, have become platforms for spreading hatred, targeting journalists and exposing them, often in the most primitive forms of slander, insults and often direct threats. Basic prosecutors' offices often decide differently on the same matter, depending on the city in which the attack occurred, which, in addition to being absurd, raises suspicion about the work of the prosecutor's office.
In addition, every second journalist in Montenegro claims to have faced pressure or harassment while doing their job.
When we add to all this the still difficult financial position of journalists in Montenegro, the goal is clearly defined: to preserve media freedom, work on greater solidarity in the industry - because together we are stronger, seek a privileged tenure, declare journalists to be official persons, demand a better financial position.
Milena Perovic, "Monitor":
Journalism, one of the most beautiful professions, this search for truth, justice, equality, a better society, is also experiencing challenges on a global level. In Montenegro, these challenges of modern times are met with the fact that Montenegrin society, or rather its political classes, have not yet established the environment necessary for free, strong and professional media. Here we are still talking about establishing the rule of law and the independence of institutions. Regardless of some practices that are changing in the blink of an eye, voices that are multiplying, a few points higher on the scale of media freedom, the political classes still do not want free media today. They want their own, friendly media. They want cheering. Not understanding the elementary thing: that they are obliged to answer to the media, or rather the public in whose interest journalists work. There are also the laws of a small market that do not go to the advantage of Montenegrin journalism.
With all these domestic and global challenges, it is not surprising that the same can be said every January - too long a wait for public service without political control, financial problems and the survival of the rest, as a threat to another type of control by various centers and interests, the proliferation of "friendly" media from all sides, low salaries and the dying out of a profession that is increasingly being abandoned and increasingly rarely entered, attacks on journalists without an effective response from institutions, especially in the part of decades-old unresolved cases.
Mili Prelević, "Dan":
We are all as free as our media are. Media freedom in Montenegro is currently at a very high level, which represents a significant step forward compared to previous years. This progress is the result of the dedication of journalists, editors and media professionals who work every day in the public interest. However, despite this, Montenegro still bears a heavy burden due to the unsolved murder of the editor-in-chief of the daily newspaper "Dan". This case not only symbolizes injustice towards the media community, but also seriously undermines the credibility of the country in the international arena. Montenegro does not deserve to become a full member of the European Union until this murder is solved and those responsible are brought to justice.
The increasing number of verbal and physical attacks on journalists is also worrying, and this is something that journalists, who have fought for integrity and professionalism, cannot deal with on their own. This is where the state has failed and I do not see it showing any desire to prevent it.
When it comes to the quality of journalism, the professionalism of the largest Montenegrin media can be considered one of the highest in the region. Such a level of quality inspires public trust and contributes to the democratic development of society. However, it is worrying that in the ruthless fight for readership, some smaller media are increasingly turning to sensationalism and tabloid practices. This trend threatens to undermine the Montenegrin media scene and seriously jeopardize the professional standards that have been preserved so far. The spirit of tabloidization circulates in our media and poses a serious challenge to maintaining public trust and the integrity of the journalistic profession.
Nikola Marković, RTV Nikšić:
Journalists are also welcoming January 23rd burdened with numerous problems, the burden of unresolved attacks, and new challenges, both existential and professional.
In the past year, media laws have been adopted, accompanied by controversies, but also by good intentions and solid solutions, at least when it comes to local public broadcasters.
What is a constant, which I believe will not diminish this year, is the political pressure and ambition of political elites to turn the media, which are supposed to be guardians of the public interest, into their own propaganda bulletin boards. What is worrying is that this practice, which has been going on for decades, has not changed.
The fact that some media outlets do not respect the journalistic code and have a sensationalist approach cannot be a justification for any type of aggression towards journalists - neither verbal, physical, nor financial.
In order to improve the position of media workers, one of the first cases is to resolve attacks on our colleagues, some of which have not been solved for more than 20 years, such as the most serious case, which is the murder of Duško Jovanović.
The fact that some of our colleagues live under 24-hour police protection does not give us room for optimism. However, what is encouraging is that most traditional media in Montenegro respect the rules of the profession and that almost all pollution of the media space in our country comes from outside. However, that is more of a question for lawmakers and legislators.
Bonus video:
