OSCE media freedom representative calls on authorities in Montenegro to swiftly investigate death threats against journalist

WARSAW, 12 September 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today condemned a death threat directed at Vladimir Otašević, a journalist with the Montenegrin newspaper Dan, and called for a swift investigation.

“I strongly condemn the recent death threat made against Otašević,” Désir said. ”Violence and harassment, including all threats against members of the media, are totally unacceptable.”

According to media reports, on 11 September, in a telephone call the journalist received a death threat alluding to the 2004 killing of the Dan newspaper editor Duško Jovanović.

“I urge the authorities in Montenegro to swiftly investigate this incident. Allowing such threats to go unanswered only perpetuates a culture of impunity,” Désir said.

The Representative noted that Montenegro’s Media Trade Union stated that this case is the most serious incident for the media community in the last two years.

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