Montenegro has recorded a decline in the journalist safety index for the third year in a row, while the number of incidents against journalists remains worryingly high, according to research presented today by the Media Union of Montenegro (SMCG) - Indicators of the Level of Media Freedom and the Journalist Safety Index for 2024.
The President of the SMCG Radomir Krackovic reminded that the first survey has been conducted for nine years, while the Journalist Safety Index is being presented today for the fifth time. "The indicators of the level of media freedom cover all aspects of media activity in Montenegro in 2024, working conditions, position and status of journalists, their salaries and status in the editorial office. The third part of the survey refers to the safety of journalists, or rather attacks on them. The Journalist Safety Index of the WB refers only to the issue of security, within it we measure the position of Montenegro in relation to other countries in the region," said Krackovic.
He added that ten media experts provided ratings for the research on indicators. Media professionals – journalists, editors, correspondents and other journalistic professions – were surveyed; a total of 81 respondents participated, 60 percent of whom were women and 40 percent were men. "29,6 percent of respondents are in the age group of 30 to 39, almost every fifth one is between 18 and 29, 17,2 percent are between 50 and 59, and only 6,2 percent are over 60. More than 63 percent have been working in the media for more than ten years, almost 20 percent between five and ten years," said Krackovic.
Montenegro's average score on a scale of one to seven is 3,15 for 2024, which is lower than 2023 (3,33) and 2022 (3,35).
"This is the third year in a row that we have recorded a decline. In the region, North Macedonia is first with 3,85, Croatia 3,19, Montenegro 3,15, Albania 2,95, Serbia 2,70 and Bosnia and Herzegovina 2,61," said Krackovic.
It was particularly pointed out that the worst rated aspect was the actual safety of journalists – 2,79, while the legal and organizational environment was rated 3,73, prevention 3,76, and the process 3,24. Krackovic added that the final score for the prevention segment was 3,63.
During 2024, working conditions did not change significantly, but there was an increase in salaries in some media. "However, salaries are still below the national average - 66,6 percent of employees received salaries below the average. When asked about the change in their socio-economic position in the last three years, 42 percent of respondents indicated an improvement, while every fourth felt a change for the worse," said SMCG Vice President Marijana Camović Veličković.
Camović Velicković explained that the salary increases were attributed to the ES 1 and 2 programs, and some people's earnings increased by as much as 200 euros. "Salaries are still unsatisfactory, although there has been a real increase, but it has not been felt. For 84 percent of respondents, the salary is fixed, almost 10 percent receive a combination of fixed and variable parts, while 3,7 percent receive a performance-based salary. For every fifth respondent, the regular salary is not secure," Camović Velicković stated.
Overtime work is widespread. "92 percent of respondents work overtime sometimes or often, and in 60 percent of cases this work is unpaid. Working on Sundays in 42 percent of cases is not additionally paid. Due to organizational needs, 44,4 percent work for two or more editorial departments within one media outlet, and 11 percent for multiple media outlets. 6,2 percent of respondents state that they do not have a regulated status in the editorial department because they are hired part-time," said Camović Večković.
"There is a significant problem of censorship and pressure - 30,9 percent of respondents reported that there were cases of censorship, and 37 percent felt some kind of interference or pressure during their work. The main sources of influence are editors, media owners, politicians, censorship and the business sector, and government officials have the least influence. Anti-union discrimination remains present. Advertising by state institutions and companies in the media remains non-transparent," added Camović Velicković.
Krackovic pointed out that three media laws were amended in July last year, including the Law on Audiovisual Services, which improved the situation in local broadcasters. "Almost all local media have settled their debts to their employees, and due to the new media law, the number of ombudsmen and the level of self-regulation have increased - ombudsmen exist in 18 media outlets," Krackovic said.
The third part of the research is dedicated to the safety of journalists. "The number of cases of attacks during the past year compared to 2023 has increased. Non-physical threats and harassment were registered in 11 cases, five more than the year before, while in four cases criminal charges were filed for endangering security. Four cases were registered in which government officials were the initiators. Threats to life and physical safety were counted in four cases. During the past year, four physical attacks were also recorded - in contrast to 2023, when there were no such attacks. The most serious attack was in November, when Ana Raičković was attacked by Bećirović and his security; the reaction of the authorities was effective and led to the first-instance completion of the procedure," said Kracković.
SMCG registered a total of 24 cases, while the police recorded 16. For 2025, as stated, 19 attacks of various types have been recorded so far.
Camović Veličković also highlighted cases of attempted pressure through lawsuits (SLAPP): the complaint of Jelena Perović against Jelena Jovanović, the complaint of the wife of Mayor Saša Mujović against Vesna Radjković Nenadić, the complaint against Brano Mandić that was dismissed after pressure from the public and NGOs, as well as the lawsuit of Andrej Vučić against Vijesti. "We believe that these types of pressure must also be recorded, because they contribute to the overall picture of insecurity and make the work of journalists more difficult," said Camović Veličković.
Krackovic warned that the decline in the journalist safety index and the increase in the number of incidents show that decision-makers must reconsider where media freedom in Montenegro is heading. "The increase in the number of such incidents, Montenegro's decline in the ZB journalist safety index, indicates that decision-makers must carefully imagine where media freedom in Montenegro is heading, and this is clearly a setback, which means that Montenegrin journalists and media have been working in more unsafe conditions in recent years compared to previous years," said Krackovic.
Camović Velicković added that editors significantly influence the work of journalists – 69 percent of respondents cited their influence, along with media owners and, to a lesser extent, government officials. “Salaries are still unsatisfactory, although there has been a real increase, but it has not been felt. There is a lot of overwork, people work more than eight hours a day,” concluded Camović Velicković.
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