By their editorial decision to publish disturbing footage and photographs of yesterday's murder in Podgorica, a part of the media in Montenegro violated the basic principles of the journalistic code that call for humanity and protect the public from disturbing, sensationalist content, the Media Institute of Montenegro announced.
"The controversial video with photos of the moment when the killer approaches the victim and shoots her, was published by the In4s portal, photos of the video were shared by certain media in Montenegro and the region, and the material quickly went viral on social networks. Publishing disturbing footage of the murder cannot be justified by the public's interest in being informed about an important event such as the murder of a man in broad daylight in the center of the capital of Montenegro. Such a decision is ethically questionable regardless of the context of the murder, especially since the police informed the public about the details of the murder," it was announced.
They add that the Code obliges the media to be guided by humanity and accuracy in gathering information and reporting, to protect the dignity of victims, to treat their families with care, and condemns sensationalism and a malicious approach to reporting.
"The media published the material without warning the reader that it was disturbing content, and the public was deprived of information about the source from which the disputed footage came. The list of violated articles of the Code is long, and it is possible that the disputed publications also violated the Media Law. The Media Institute reminds that the media shape public attitudes, influence the mental health of citizens, and points to the fact that by 'trampling' on humanity, they strengthen the feeling of insecurity in the community, contribute to the rise of violence in society, and undermine trust in the media. In the upcoming amendments to the Code of Journalists, and changes to media laws, the Media Institute will advocate for even stronger affirmation of legal and ethical principles that discourage media outlets that resort to dehumanization, sensationalism, and malice in their reporting," it was announced.
They welcomed the decision of the few established media outlets in Montenegro that did not indulge in sensationalism and refrained from publishing the controversial footage.
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