Low income and poor economic position, lack of tolerance and understanding for the work they do, but also among their colleagues themselves, are among the main problems facing journalists and media workers in Montenegro.
This was stated by several journalists and photojournalists yesterday, during the panel "Dignified Conditions for Responsible Journalism", on the occasion of the Montenegrin Journalists' Day.
Journalist “Nove M” Željka Mirković, among other things, she said that journalists and media are not interconnected and do not act as one.
"We become easy prey for manipulation. We often look at our colleagues through the 'sights' just because they work in different media," said Mirković.
The panel discussion was organized by the Media Union of Montenegro (SMCG) and the Media Institute, and many journalists and media workers participated in the discussion.
Journalist at Radio Television of Montenegro (RTCG) Snezana Radusinovic claims that media workers at the Public Service Broadcasting Service have been working for minimum wage for a long time.
She also pointed out that the union she belongs to has lost a large number of members, including journalists, due to "the pressure they put on them."
She recalled that she has been involved in science for a long time, and that she is the only journalist specializing in documentary science TV journalism in Montenegro. She said that the series she edited were "suddenly canceled at the end of last year."
The fact that the petition to keep them on the Public Service Broadcasting schedule was signed by more than 200 members of the academic and scientific community, he says, was not enough to prevent these shows from being canceled.
"The union struggle is not simple and easy. I hope the fruits will be better. I am an eternal optimist... I hope that we will at least be able to achieve what seems far away to us, which is the average Montenegrin salary," said Radusinović.
Photojournalist "Vijesti" Boris Pejović He said that copyrights are very important, but that they are not sufficiently recognized.
"The basis and additional stability are found in copyright. We, as a state, have not recognized this more deeply than in fulfilling the chapter for Montenegro's entry into the European Union (EU)," said Pejović, adding that "journalists' earnings are not high, and that there are no opportunities for advancement."
He pointed out that he "both is and is not satisfied" with the investigation into the incident in Gornji Zaostar.
The journalistic teams of “Vijesti” and “Pobjeda” were attacked last August in the village of Gornje Zaostro in Berane while carrying out their work. Pejović received death threats, while a photojournalist from “Pobjeda” was Stevo Vasiljevic physically attacked. Journalist of the newspaper “Vijesti” Balša Rudović was then verbally attacked.
"Progress has been made in the prosecution. I'm not too satisfied. I hope it will only get better," said Pejović, adding that the police and the state are obliged to ensure the safety of journalists.
Photojournalist of “Pobjeda” Stevo Vasiljevic He said that the reaction of the media community was not unexpected. He said that the attacks were caused by "whatever happens to them", adding that "media workers cannot defend themselves".
33 attacks on journalists occurred in 2025, the Media Union said. Of that number, 18 attacks were directed at female journalists. A total of 29 attacks on journalists were reported to the Police Directorate last year.
President of SMCG Radomir Krackovic He congratulated media workers on Journalists' Day, adding that he hopes their situation will improve.
According to him, there were 33 attacks on journalists last year, 18 of which were directed at female journalists. Krackovic said that a total of 29 attacks on journalists were reported to the Police Directorate last year. He also said that SMCG “also includes unreported attacks, as well as other types of incidents, in its database.”
"It is worrying that entire editorial offices were targeted. The economic status has improved in some media, but not at a general level... Long negotiations are underway on a new collective agreement at RTCG. Our task as a union remains to negotiate a sectoral collective agreement (GKU)," said Krackovic.
Director of the Media Institute Olivera Nikolić She said that the journalism profession is facing serious challenges, adding that poor socio-economic status is one of the key problems of media workers.
"Although formally we have good laws and can boast about them, what is written on paper is one thing, and in practice it is different," she said.
Nikolić also drew attention to the Code of Journalists of Montenegro, adding that its changes are underway. She believes that the existing Code is a solid and good self-regulatory framework, which provides a basis for conducting journalism with integrity.
Vice-president of SMCG Marijana Camović-Velicković She cited several examples of attacks and harassment of journalists and photojournalists.
"The general impression of Montenegrin female journalists is that they are unprotected. No editorial office provides psychological help... The past year has been marked by anti-union activity," said Camović Velicković.
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