Media freedom situation in Montenegro remains complex, impunity still key obstacle, says OSCE representative

PODGORICA, 2 July 2014 – Finishing a two-day official visit to Montenegro, OSCE media freedom representative Dunja Mijatović today said she remains concerned about journalists’ safety and about the lack of unity among members of the media in the country.

Mijatović pointed to journalists’ safety as an area where some progress has been made. She said establishing a commission to monitor investigations of cases of threats and attacks against journalists was a positive step, but stressed it cannot substitute authorities and institutions in investigating and prosecuting perpetrators and masterminds of the attacks.

“Even though there are a number of positive developments regarding resolving cases where members of the media were attacked and even killed, there is still a long way to go until there is no impunity for attacks against journalists in Montenegro,” Mijatović said.

During her official visit the Representative met with the President of Montenegro, Filip Vujanović, Prime Minister Milo Đukanović, and the president of the Supreme Court, Vesna Medenica. She also met with Igor Lukšić, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Raško Konjević, Minister of Interior, members of the Montenegrin Parliament, civil society, journalists and media representatives.

In all the meetings the Representative stressed that it is high time for things to change in Montenegro to improve the media freedom situation.

“The failure to implement regulatory and self-regulatory system in full has led to a disastrous media environment. I am ready to engage in improving the functioning of the self-regulator as a way to bring journalists together and to improve the situation,” Mijatovic said.

“Proposals for the re-criminalisation of defamation will not solve any of the media problems in Montenegro,” she added.

“I want to thank the Montenegrin government for their openness to discuss and actively engage in resolving media freedom problems in the country,” Mijatović said.

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 at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on facebook.com/osce.rfom.