After Podgorica, the national campaign "Supporting Print Media in Montenegro" continued today in Budva, where a public event dedicated to the importance of print media and professional journalism was held in the Mega Mall. The first 100 visitors to the stand in the Mega Mall received a book or coloring book as a gift.
The President of the Municipality of Budva, Nikola Jovanović, welcomed the action that promotes the print editions of the media "Vijesti", "Dan" and "Pobjeda".
"This is a good opportunity to show how the media should cooperate, protecting each other, and above all, protecting the objectivity of information. The public's right to know must be a right stronger than any other. I congratulate all journalists who have been informing the public all these years, especially in the area of investigative journalism. This is a good opportunity to point out that the media was first and foremost created as a criticism, a correction for all of us who are engaged in public work. This is also an invitation to all journalists who work in this honorable profession to continue on their path, but also an invitation to future generations to join this profession," Jovanović emphasized.
He said that every morning he has copies of the printed editions of "Vijesti", "Pobjeda" and "Dana" on his desk.
"Print media, when you drink your first morning coffee, introduce you to the world of information and inform you about everything that has happened. Today, when we live in a world of digitalization, when you have many media and platforms that do not inform, but rather disavow the public, it is a real rarity to have three such media that last for a long time," said Jovanović and called on everyone in Montenegro to buy print media.
Director of "Vijesti" Marijana Kadić Bojanić reminded that the initiative was created several years ago and that it is very significant that it was supported by the European Union.
"Many EU countries have shown their attitude towards print media as a traditional and professional form of reporting by introducing various tax breaks, and we expect the same from the Government of Montenegro and the Parliament - to adopt such laws," she emphasized.
She pointed out that the joint action shows that, when there is loyal competition and when no disloyal moves are made towards each other, we can certainly unite in the interest of all of us — in the interest of the editorial staff and, of course, in the public interest.
The President of the Association of Managers of Montenegro, Budimir Raičković, said that support for print media is also support for professional journalism and objective reporting.
"From the perspective of the business community, it is important to point out that media such as 'Dan', 'Vijesti' and 'Pobjeda', in addition to their tradition, also have a significant number of employees - more than 200 - which means that they are significant economic entities. I am pleased that in Montenegro, regardless of different editorial policies and competition, three media outlets are gathering around the same values. Perhaps we can send a message to our Montenegro that, regardless of some differences, things that have a higher value should be supported," he pointed out.
Co-owner of "Dana" Slavica Jovanović said that they want to point out to all citizens of Montenegro the importance of print media.
"It is a fact that people say that print media is in decline all over the world, but it is quite certain that their influence is not declining, but rather growing. Reliable, verified and signed information, which you can read in print media, speaks of professional journalism. Digital media provide faster information and print media do not compete in this, but they compete when it comes to the depth and quality of information. There is also an emotional moment - when we turn the pages, we turn over memories, recollections and trust. We have the feeling that someone is taking responsibility for everything they write. The time of print media will never pass, because they are part of the culture of a people, the cultural identity of a society and a living part of cultural heritage," said Jovanović.
Director of RTV Budva Iva Bajković said that the most important thing today is verified information.
"This action, which was also supported by the EU Delegation to Montenegro, is very important for journalism in Montenegro. Whether we want to admit it or not, it is commercial and private media that, in order to survive, do the most investigative stories. These are the media that feed a large number of families," she emphasized.
Marketing Director of "Pobjeda" Ana Pustahija said that, although all three media outlets have different editorial policies, they have proven that they can cooperate and implement the campaign together.
"This action of ours is to support print media in the era of rapid digitalization - to survive. To ensure that the living word and information survive, and that citizens understand that something that is often considered the past has its future," she emphasized.
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