Krackovic: The EC expresses serious concerns regarding freedom of expression and the position of journalists in Montenegro

The European Commission (EC) in its non-paper, although it gives an overall positive tone, expresses serious concerns when it comes to freedom of expression and the position of journalists in Montenegro, said the president of the Media Union (SMCG) Radomir Krackovic.

He said this while answering questions from journalists at a press conference, where SMCG presented research on the level of media freedom in Montenegro.

"If you read the part concerning freedom of expression, you can see that the EC has serious concerns. They are precisely citing the assessments that the Media Union has continuously made," said Krackovic.

He stated that the document specifically points to the increase in the number of attacks on journalists in the previous year, using, as he said, data from the Media Union on 33 recorded cases.

Krackovic added that the EC also expressed concern about the poor socioeconomic position of journalists in Montenegro.

"In other words, they are of the opinion that the state of media freedom in Montenegro cannot depend only on the law, but also on improving the working conditions of journalists and media workers," said Krackovic.

According to him, the document also cites the results of an OSCE survey showing that almost three-quarters of media employees receive salaries below the national average.

"This is very important for the Media Union as an organization, but also for the entire media community, because the EC has recognized these key problems that we have been talking about for years," concluded Krackovic.