OSCE representative urges Montenegro media community to urgently raise ethical standards, welcomes arrest of suspects over attempted murder of journalist

PODGORICA, 17 July 2014 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today welcomed the readiness of the media community in Montenegro to launch a process to improve media self-regulation in the country and to start the process of confidence-building between media actors.

"I am glad that there is an agreement on an urgent need to rebuild trust in the media community of Montenegro by reaching an agreement on common professional interests, respect for ethical standards and basic journalistic principles," said Mijatović.

She added that self-regulation is the best way to protect editorial independence, to reduce political influence, promote professional responsibility by journalists and the media, and to help safeguard the credibility of the media in society.

"My office will work with the media community, non-governmental sector and experts to develop a model of self-regulation that best suits the media landscape in the country," said Mijatović after a series of meeting with owners, managers and editors from local media outlets: the Pobjeda, Dan, Vijesti and Dnevne Novine newspapers; the Monitor weekly; the portals Analitika, Cafemontenegro and PCNEN, as well as the Secretary General of the Media Council for Self-regulation.

This initiative is a direct follow-up to her official visit to Montenegro on 2 July 2014. It was agreed that the next meeting to discuss the principles of self-regulation and the action plan will take place in autumn in the office of the Representative in Vienna.

Mijatović also welcomed yesterday's arrest of two suspects over the attempted murder of journalist Tufik Softić in 2007.

"It is very good news that there is progress on this case of attempted murder and I urge the authorities of Montenegro to persist until all attacks on journalists, especially the murder of Dusko Jovanović in 2004 are resolved and the perpetrators and masterminds are brought to justice," she said.

"I will continue to engage with the authorities in Montenegro in order to assist with all media freedom issues."

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more atwww.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on facebook.com/osce.rfom.