NGOs and civic activists: The advice of an independent state body such as the AMU must not be subject to party calculations

The advice of an independent state body such as the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services (AMU) must in the future not be a subject of party calculations, but rather accepted as an independent regulatory body that acts in the interest of citizens and the protection of media freedom.

This is stated in a statement by a group of several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civic activists, submitted by the Human Rights Action (HRA).

"Our non-governmental organizations and civic activists welcome the decision of the Parliament of Montenegro of December 31, 2025, to appoint Dragoljub Duško Vuković, a candidate of non-governmental organizations in the field of media, as a member of the Council of the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services (AMU). This appointment represents an important confirmation of the independence of the state regulator in the field of media and an example of the victory of public interest over attempts at political control," the statement states.

The statement added that Vuković's appointment "came about after 18 months were wasted in attempts by the ruling majority political parties not to elect an NGO candidate whom they cannot control."

"The Council of an independent state body such as the AMU must not be subject to party calculations in the future, but rather accepted as an independent regulatory body that acts in the interests of citizens and the protection of media freedom. The Law on Audiovisual Media Services stipulates that the AMU is an independent state body that exercises its powers impartially and professionally. The appointment of members of the AMU Council, as a governing body, is carried out by the Parliament, among other things, at the proposal of NGOs in the field of media. The NGOs timely proposed Vuković, who met all the conditions for appointment, including that he is a party-independent and impartial candidate," the statement from the group of NGOs and civic activists reads.

The statement states that the first public call was issued by the Parliament on December 10, 2024, with a delay of six months, and that it was canceled on January 24, 2025 due to an alleged "technical error", after the NGO LGBT Forum Progress warned the Parliament leadership that the wording of the call could lead to an illegal election and a court challenge, after which the call was withdrawn.

"The second call, announced on January 30, 2025, was amended by focusing on the legal provision that allows only NGOs in the media field to propose a specific member of the Council for which the competition was announced, but despite this, it was unlawfully annulled in April by the Administrative Board, with the explanation of allegedly unclear forms previously adopted by the same Board. The third call was announced on May 13, 2025. On July 10, the Administrative Board determined that the candidacy of Dragoljub Duško Vuković was correct and supported by nine authorized NGOs, but on July 24, in addition to the legal procedure, it organized a so-called consultative hearing. After that, on July 30, deputies in the Parliament of Montenegro did not provide the necessary support for Vuković to be appointed, remaining abstained, which brought the procedure for appointing members of the AMU Council back to the beginning for the third time. This ignored both clear messages and warnings from the institutions of the European Union," said the group of NGOs and civic activists.

The statement adds that in this context, an MP from the ruling party Europe Now Movement (PES), Jelena Nedović, at one point openly suggested that the AMU Council should include a representative of the NGO sector "according to the taste of the authorities", which, as the statement says, called into question the integrity of NGOs and rendered meaningless the legal solution that gives them the right to independently nominate a member of the Council.

"In the October Progress Report on Montenegro, the European Commission pointed out that the Parliament had not yet appointed a member of the Council of the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services, thus exceeding the legally prescribed deadlines, while the appointment procedures were annulled on two occasions. According to the Commission's assessment, such a situation prevented the full implementation of the applicable legal framework and imposed the need for the urgent appointment of the remaining members of the AMU Council. Brussels has continuously conveyed that the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services must function professionally and be independent of party influence. In addition, the joint civil society consultative committee between the European Union and Montenegro, at its 21st meeting held in Brussels on 16 December 2025, called on the Montenegrin Parliament to appoint - without delay and undue political influence and interference - members of the AMU Council, respecting the recently adopted media laws that provide for the creation of an independent media regulator," said the group, which consists of several NGOs and civic activists.

The statement states that after continued pressure from non-governmental organizations and clear warnings from European Union institutions, a new vote has been scheduled in the Parliament.

"The election of Duško Vuković was finally confirmed on December 31, 2025, with a delay of about 18 months compared to the legal deadline, or one year from the announcement of the first public call, while the AMU Council has been operating irregularly in the meantime, with three out of the prescribed five members, with significantly reduced efficiency and independence. In circumstances in which political parties in power openly strive to control state institutions that must remain independent in the legal order of Montenegro, the election of Vuković has special weight. His expertise, integrity and political impartiality are key to the work of the AMU Council and the protection of the public interest, which is why this election represents a positive signal in light of the warning from the European Commission," said the group, which consists of several NGOs and civic activists.

They state that they expect the upcoming procedures for electing members of the AMU Council and the RTCG Council to be an example of respect for the rule of law and the independence of regulatory agencies and public service on the path to the European Union.

Signatories of the release:

1. Human Rights Action (HRA)

2. Spectrum Association

3. Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM)

4. Center for Civil Liberties (CEGAS)

5. Center for Monitoring and Research (CeMI)

6. Center for the Development of Non-Governmental Organizations (CRNVO)

7. Center for Women's and Peace Education ANIMA

8. Center for Roma Initiatives (CRI)

9. Center for Women's Rights (CŽP)

10. Montenegrin Women's Lobby (CŽL)

11. Montenegrin Committee of Lawyers for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms (CKM)

12. Montenegrin LGBTIQ association Kvir Montenegro

13. Montenegrin Philological Society

14. ERA - Alliance for equal rights of LGBTI persons in the Western Balkans and in Turkey

15. Ipso facto

16. Juventas

17. Municipal Multiple Sclerosis Association Bijelo Polje

18. Open Center “Bona Fide” – Pljevlja

19. Prima

20. Media Union of Montenegro

21. Safe Women's House (SŽK)

22. Association of Disabled Youth of Montenegro (UMHCG)

23. Association "Strpci - Against Oblivion"

24. Paula Petričević, civic activist

25. Milena Bešić, civil activist

26. Milica Kankaraš Berber, artist and activist

27. Nikola Vukčević, director and former member of the RTVCG Council