Print media under threat from law: Letter from publishers to Marti Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement

We are writing to you regarding the recently adopted amendments to the Law on Games of Chance in Montenegro, which represent a dramatic blow to the sources of media income and may lead to the closure of entire editorial offices. This law particularly discriminates against print and other private media, which have been operating in difficult market conditions for years, and whose very existence is now seriously threatened, says a letter to Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, sent to her by publishers of print media in Montenegro.

We would like to highlight a few key points:

Print media, which are the most expensive to produce and distribute, are being put at an unequal position compared to other media by this law. Instead of supporting their survival, there is a serious risk that many newsrooms will soon be forced to close if the situation is not resolved. This directly threatens pluralism and the availability of different sources of information.

There is no doubt that print media bear the brunt of investigative journalism in Montenegro. They produce the majority of in-depth analyses and investigative reports, uncovering scandals and complex economic and political events. Without their contribution, Montenegrin society would lose a key mechanism of democratic control.

The most influential are the media in the country. Although circulations are declining, print media remain the most influential in shaping public opinion. Their stories are then transmitted via portals, television and social networks, which multiplies their content. The consequences of the decline in revenues are already visible: reduced circulation, the elimination of certain content, potential layoffs - leading to lower quality content that shapes public discourse.

If print media disappears from the market, citizens will be deprived of credible and comprehensive information. This would jeopardize democratic processes and the public's right to truthful information, which would represent a step backwards in relation to European standards of media freedom.

In this regard, we recall the obligations of EU Member States and candidate countries to ensure media pluralism and fair market conditions for all media, as underlined in the European Media Freedom Act and in the relevant Council of Europe recommendations on media pluralism and freedom of expression. These documents clearly state that governments must not adopt measures that lead to the closure of media outlets under difficult conditions, as this directly undermines democracy and the rule of law.

For all these reasons, we call on the European Commission to use its instruments and mechanisms to address these worrying developments and send a clear signal to the institutions of Montenegro that such legislation must not result in discrimination against print media.

We are convinced that the European Commission recognizes that the closure of entire editorial offices does not only mean the loss of jobs, but also represents a serious challenge to democracy, the rule of law and Montenegro's European path, states the letter signed by Marijana Bojanić, CEO of Daily press DOO – Vijesti, Mladen Milutinović, CEO of Jumedia Mont DOO and Nenad Zečević, CEO of Nova Pobjeda DOO.