The Media Union of Montenegro (SMCG) welcomed the fact that the European Commission, in its latest report on Montenegro, once again emphasizes the lack of social dialogue and poor working conditions in the media as significant problems in the sector.
As the report states, the media industry, alongside the banking sector, is one of the most significant industries that still does not have a sector-wide collective agreement, or this type of additional protection for employees.
"A sectoral collective agreement has not yet been signed, which makes it difficult for workers in the media industry to exercise their labor rights under equal conditions as workers in other sectors. Journalists' salaries remain below the national average," the report states.
The report, SMCG announced, also notes a worrying example that union representatives at Radio and Television of Montenegro brought to the public: it mentions cases of pressure from management, discrimination against union-active workers, and delays in collective bargaining.
"It is particularly encouraging that the report recognized the efforts of the national Media Union and professional organizations in the area of improving socio-economic conditions, professional standards and safety of media workers. Although the European Commission assessed Montenegro's media reforms as 'moderately prepared in the area of freedom of expression, with some progress in implementing reforms', the report highlighted serious challenges," it said.
As a central concern, as they point out, the lack of elections for the remaining two members of the Council of the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services (AMU), which has not been making decisions in its full composition since December 2024, is rightly emphasized.
"We would like to remind you that the Parliament of Montenegro, even after three published calls for the election of the remaining members of the Council, has not conducted the election, and that a fourth call is underway. As stated in the report, this hinders the full implementation of the legislative framework and may have implications for Chapter 10. 'Montenegro must urgently appoint the remaining members of the AMU Council', is the clear message of the European Commission," SMCG points out.
In addition, it is added, the European Commission emphasizes that, if there is a need for changes to the legal solutions in this area, they must be implemented in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and must not "undermine the progress made so far, especially when it comes to preserving the political independence of the public service broadcaster RTCG and AMU, including the protection of their editorial, institutional and financial independence from any form of undue influence."
"The report recalls that the court proceedings challenging the legality of the appointment of the Director General of RTCG are still ongoing, which continues to raise questions about the lack of transparency and possible violation of legal procedures. It also mentions the proceedings against members of the RTCG Council for abuse of office during the election of the Director General, which recently ended with a guilty verdict in the first instance proceedings. Although the report praises the promptness of the institutions in resolving new cases of attacks, it reiterates that this year, 'cases 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, have been recorded'," the statement reads.
SMCG adds that it has been pointing out for a long time the lack of understanding among those in political power about the role of the media in a democratic society.
"The report also recommends that national legislation be aligned with the European Media Freedom Act, as well as the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act and the Artificial Intelligence Act. The Ministry of Culture and Media has recently formed a Working Group for the Implementation of the European Media Freedom Act and the Digital Services Act into Montenegrin legislation, of which the Media Union of Montenegro is a member," the statement reads.
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