Completion of the process of adoption of media laws will contribute to a positive opinion for obtaining the Report on Fulfillment of Interim Criteria (IBAR), which will further confirm Montenegro's commitment to EU integration and progress in media reforms.
This was concluded at the meeting of the Minister of Culture and Media, Tamara Vujović, with the General Director of DG CONNECT, Robert Viola, where they discussed the reform of media laws in Montenegro and the progress achieved in that process.
Vujović, as announced by the Ministry of Culture and Media (MKM), emphasized that the Government is committed to fulfilling all requirements for accession to the European Union (EU) and will continue to work to achieve a positive outcome in those processes.
She pointed out that the laws were sent to the European Commission for an opinion on March 15.
Vujović said that she hopes that there will be no major changes or recommendations from European institutions in the opinion, so that all deadlines will be met and the process of adopting media laws will come to an end and their adoption in the Government and Parliament.
"It is very important for us to bring the media reform process to an end, given that it is one of the conditions for obtaining a positive IBAR," said Vujović.
She said that the Government is committed to the EU integration of Montenegro.
"And the support for joining the EU by 80 percent of the citizens further motivates us to fulfill all the requirements that are asked of us," Vujović added.
She informed Viola about the latest changes in the media laws of Montenegro.
According to reports, Vujović pointed out several key news items, among them the fact that the public sector cannot advertise in media that are not registered.
She added that the Media Pluralism Fund was increased from 0,09 to 0,20 percent and new areas of public interest were added, including the fight against hate speech and misinformation.
"These changes represent a significant step towards the improvement of the media environment in Montenegro", said Vujović and, as it is added, expressed her belief that they will contribute to greater media freedom and responsibility.
Viola praised the efforts made to improve media laws.
"We have a very positive impression of the media laws that you submitted to us, and I am convinced that there will only be technical changes in the opinion of the EC," said Viola.
He said that they worked dedicatedly to provide support to Montenegro in the past period and showed that they are available for all issues.
Viola pointed out the fact that the Law on Audiovisual Media Services has fully implemented the European Parliament's Directive on AVM services, and that they are very satisfied with that, as well as that the suspension in the Creative Europe Program, Media subprogram, will be immediately lifted in Montenegro, upon the adoption of the law.
He pointed out that he is happy about Montenegro's commitment to EU integration and expressed the hope that the completion of the process of adopting media laws will contribute to obtaining a positive IBAR and holding the second Intergovernmental Conference.
The MKM said that the EU has adopted the Media Freedom Act and the Digital Service Act, and that in the coming period, after receiving the IBAR, Montenegro will have the opportunity to harmonize its legislation with these new European rules, as well as the EU member states.
"The interlocutors concluded that the coming days will entail intensive work by all involved parties in order to successfully complete the reforms started in the media sector," the statement said.
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