The Society of Professional Journalists of Montenegro (DPNCG) announced today that it is calling on public officials to stop the practice of being offended by journalistic questions and to understand that they must not threaten to file charges for "inconvenient" questions.
"Public office holders must always keep in mind that the European Court of Human Rights views with disapproval any interference with the right to freedom of expression that may have a negative effect on public debate. In situations where the state is faced with the escape of two high-profile individuals, both caricature and metaphor are permitted, as long as they expose the work of the authorities," the DPNCG statement, signed by President Mila Radulović, states.
The association added that in the last two days, two senior government officials have publicly expressed their dissatisfaction because journalists from Television Vijesti asked questions that they did not like.
"Particular concern is caused by last night's statement by the director of the Police Administration, Lazar Šćepanović, that he will file a criminal complaint against the author of the show Načisto, Petar Komnenić, for insulting the police. When asked by a journalist 'are the police ficus if they cannot arrest a man who violates the measure', Šćepanović said in the middle of the show 'after this we will prosecute Komnenić for insulting the police'. The director eventually answered the question, but announcing a criminal complaint is not at all a benign thing," said the DPNCG.
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The DPNCG states that they remind "officials that in this way they give a boost to those who are dissatisfied with the way the media works, because in the past, negative statements by officials were very often accompanied by physical attacks."
"We are particularly surprised to hear such assessments from the director of the Police, who has improved procedures so that attackers of journalists can be prosecuted more easily and quickly. We believe that this is a matter of current anger due to public pressure in the case of Miloš Medenica's escape, but that does not justify his message last night. We appeal to maintain a culture of dialogue in the media, which also implies that journalists treat guests with due care and clearly define issues, which contributes to a higher quality dialogue and a higher level of public debate," said the DPNCG.
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