In the last two years, 12 final criminal verdicts have been issued before regular courts for attacks on journalists, most of which are for endangering security, according to a report. Research "Media and Journalist Safety: A View from Institutions", conducted by the Society of Professional Journalists of Montenegro (DPNCG).
Misdemeanor courts have handed down three final verdicts, fining four people 1.670 euros for threatening journalists.
The research covered the actions of the police, the State Prosecutor's Office, regular courts and misdemeanor courts over the past two years. "It confirmed that there is a general willingness to prosecute and punish attackers of journalists, but also a lack of understanding of the journalistic profession, which has affected the processing of some cases," said DPNCG president Mila Radulović.
As she said, official data from the Police Directorate, the State Prosecutor's Office, the Judicial Council and the Misdemeanor Courts show that many attacks and threats (more than a third) were treated as misdemeanors. "Even in some cases when journalists were targets of attacks during their work assignments, the prosecution did not recognize this," they added.
Of particular concern, they said, is that statistics indicate an increase in online threats and harassment in 2024 and 2025, as well as the fact that the targets of attacks are mainly female journalists.
When it comes to final court verdicts, data from the Judicial Council shows that 13 people were convicted, of which 10 for endangering security, one for coercion, and two for causing serious bodily harm..
"When it comes to the criminal sanctions imposed, eight were sentenced to prison sentences, three to suspended sentences, and two people to mandatory psychiatric treatment," the DPNCG said.
Of the 10 people convicted for endangering the safety of journalists, six received prison sentences, three were sentenced to suspended sentences, and one person was ordered to undergo mandatory psychiatric treatment..
According to the prosecution, the Police Directorate processed 37 attacks on journalists or media outlets, while the State Prosecutor's Office opened 26 cases. Of these, ten were processed before misdemeanor courts, one criminal report was dismissed, two indictments were filed, while investigations are ongoing in the remaining cases.
Out of 26 cases in the State Prosecutor's Office, 14 relate to female journalists, while in the misdemeanor courts, out of 11 proceedings, eight concern female journalists. Out of three final convictions for misdemeanors, in two cases the targets of threats were female journalists.
Police records show that out of 17 registered events in 2024, 10 involved female journalists, and out of 20 in 2025 (as of October 20), 13 involved female journalists.
"We have processed four case studies, which show that the VDT's commitment to more efficiently prosecuting attacks and their practical implementation are not in full agreement, that some prosecutors still do not recognize the impeding of journalists' work, but that there is progress. Especially, because prosecutors also represent reports before misdemeanor courts - which was not the case before," the statement reads.
He says that, due to the growing trend of gender-based violence, the DPNCG has initiated changes to criminal legislation in the direction of more efficient prosecution. "In addition, our recommendation is to keep special records of the Prosecutor's Office, the Judicial Council and the Police Directorate on gender-based violence, constant legal and psychological support for journalists, initiating interstate agreements in order to create conditions for submitting data on persons who make threats from internet addresses whose providers are outside Montenegro. Also, improving the efficiency of the judiciary in the direction of making final decisions in cases of attacks on journalists, imposing maximum misdemeanor penalties in cases concerning attacks on journalists in connection with the work they do," says Radulović.
She said that the DPNCG recommends that, due to "a lack of understanding of the work of journalism, but also a lack of sensitivity among some prosecutors, as well as police officers and judges of misdemeanor courts," education on the standards of the European Court of Human Rights in the area of freedom of expression should continue, as well as that a media expert be added to the list of court experts.
"Due to the complicated procedures for reporting attacks and threats and additional victimization of journalists, it is necessary to simplify reporting procedures and create material conditions for work in the police and prosecutor's office (adequate rooms for interrogation). Also, establish operational procedures in the police for reporting cases of attacks on journalists, sensitize and educate police officers who are contact persons for journalists so that they do not persuade victims to give up reporting," adds Radulović.
The research was conducted using the Law on Free Access to Information and Journalist Instructions for the period 2024-2025, until the end of September.
"Due to the late submission of data by the Police Directorate, they treated the period until the end of October 2025. Detailed data on active cases and analysis, as well as four case studies, are available at the link. The research was carried out as part of the project "Effective Prevention and Protection of Journalists in Montenegro", implemented by the Association of Professional Journalists of Montenegro (DPNCG), the Association for Responsible and Sustainable Development (UZOR) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation with the financial support of the European Union and co-financing by the Ministry of Public Administration," the statement reads.
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