"A swift judicial resolution of the case relating to the appointment of Boris Raonic as Director of Radio and Television of Montenegro is essential to ensure that the Public Service fully respects the law, as well as the highest standards of professional integrity and accountability," the Draft Progress Report states.
The document that "Vijesti" had access to states that "a court proceeding is underway challenging the legality of the appointment of the Director General of RTCG, which continues to raise questions about the lack of transparency and possible violation of legal procedures."
"In November 2024, the prosecutor's office filed an indictment against members of the RTCG Council for alleged abuse of official position when appointing the Director General, and the court process is ongoing," the Draft specifies.
It is recalled that "the effective implementation of the new Law on Public Service, adopted in June 2024, has provided RTCG with sufficient institutional and financial independence, as well as the resources necessary to fulfill its mandate."
The EC also warned that the fact that the Parliament of Montenegro has not yet appointed a member of the Council of the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services "may have consequences for Chapter 10 in negotiations with the EU."
The European Commission notes in its Draft Report that following significant legislative improvements introduced through a comprehensive package of media laws adopted in June 2024, national media legislation has been largely aligned with the acquis communautaire.
"The competent authorities have initiated a comprehensive analysis of compliance with the European Media Freedom Act."
Although it is stated that the implementation of the improved legal and strategic framework for the media is starting to yield initial positive results, "full implementation of legislative improvements - including transparent and meritocratic appointments, has yet to be achieved in order to ensure the proper functioning and full independence of the Agency for Audiovisual Media (AMU) and the public service broadcaster RTCG".
"In July, the Parliament appointed three new members of the RTCG Council, but repeatedly failed to appoint two members of the AMU Council, significantly exceeding the deadline prescribed by the Law on Audiovisual Media Services. The Parliament twice annulled the competition for the selection of members. Additionally, in the third repeated attempt, in July 2025, the Parliament again failed to appoint members of the AMU Council. This situation prevents the full implementation of the legal framework and may have consequences for Chapter 10 in negotiations with the EU. Montenegro must urgently appoint the remaining members of the AMU Council," the Draft Report states.
It is emphasized that any potential legal changes in this area must be subject to consultations with all relevant stakeholders, with the mandatory preservation of legal guarantees of the independence of the AMU "in order to preserve previously achieved results and avoid deviation from the EU acquis and European standards."
Officials condemn attacks, then attack
The document also emphasizes that Montenegro continues to implement a zero-tolerance policy towards violence against journalists.
"The competent authorities continue to provide a prompt and effective institutional and police response to new cases of violence against journalists, mainly related to harassment and threats via the internet. In November 2024, a journalist was physically attacked in Podgorica. The police reacted immediately and arrested the suspects, while the prosecution quickly filed an indictment. In a first-instance verdict issued in April 2025, three defendants were found guilty of the attack - two were sentenced to prison terms and one received a suspended sentence," the Draft Report states.
It is also recalled that in August, two photojournalists and one journalist - Boris Pejović and Balša Rudović from "Vijesti" and Stevo Vasiljević from "Pobjeda" were "physically abused, with threats and verbal insults, while performing their professional duties in a village near Berane, allegedly in the presence of police officers."
"The prosecution has launched an investigation against several suspects, one of whom has been arrested and remanded in custody for 30 days."
Regarding the 2018 wounding of investigative journalist Olivera Lakić, the Draft Report noted that "the trial in one of the most serious and long-running cases of violence against media workers began in June 2025."
It was also emphasized that concern was caused by "the legal proceedings initiated in January 2025 by the brother of the President of Serbia against a media outlet before the Basic Court in Podgorica."
"During 2024, the prosecution acted in 14 cases of violence against media workers - filing indictments in two cases and initiating misdemeanor proceedings in three. In the same period, the police recorded 16 cases of violence against journalists, seven of which were qualified as a criminal offense. Three journalists remain under police protection. Although the authorities have largely condemned cases of violence against journalists, examples of harsh verbal attacks on the media and representatives of civil society by public officials and political parties, including high-ranking officials from the security and defense sectors, continue to be recorded," the Draft Report states.
The draft document also states that "at the national level, trade unions and professional organizations in the media sector are well established and actively advocate for the improvement of socio-economic conditions, professional standards and safety of media workers."
"With the adoption of the new Media Law in June 2024, media self-regulation was introduced as a prerequisite for receiving funds from the Media Pluralism and Diversity Fund. Following the adoption of the law, membership in the Media Self-Regulation Council increased significantly - during the reporting period, the number of members increased from 17 to 75 media outlets. The sectoral collective agreement has not yet been signed, which makes it difficult for media workers to exercise their labor rights under equal conditions as workers in other sectors. Journalists' salaries are still below the national average. Representatives of the RTCG trade union expressed concern about alleged inappropriate pressure from management, discrimination against union members, and delays in collective bargaining...", the document states.
Economic independence of the media and recommendations
The Draft Report notes that "a significant increase in state funding of the media in accordance with the new Media Law contributes to the financial sustainability of commercial media, which are otherwise limited by a relatively small audience and a modest advertising market."
"The local media market, especially the television sector, remains dominated by regional and international media companies. State funding of content of public interest in electronic, print and online media has remained stable at 0,2 percent of the current state budget, which is distributed through the Fund for Media Pluralism and Diversity. A significant increase in the number of public sector bodies that comply with the legal obligation to publish data on allocated funds to the media has been recorded. However, this obligation is still only partially implemented - 56 percent of registered media and 64 percent of public sector bodies have met the requirements for publication," the Draft Report states.
It was stated that additional efforts are needed to fully implement the provisions of the new media legislation, especially in the part relating to public financing of the media and the establishment of a public media register.
The Draft Report also emphasizes that "the recommendations of the European Commission from the previous year have been partially implemented, and therefore remain largely in force."
In the coming period, it was emphasized, Montenegro should, in particular, continue to ensure rapid and efficient protection of journalists from all forms of violence through judicial and police mechanisms, with priority processing and judicial resolution of the most significant unresolved cases.
The state should also "continue with consistent implementation of media legislation and further alignment with the EU acquis, ensuring timely appointment of members of the AMU Council and ensuring that any future amendments to the media law do not jeopardize the progress made so far, especially when it comes to preserving the political independence of the public service broadcaster RTCG and AMU, including protecting the editorial, institutional and financial independence of these institutions from any undue influence."
The need to harmonize national media legislation with the European Media Freedom Act was also emphasized.
Bonus video:
