OSCE Representative supports media self-regulation in Montenegro, raises potential negative legal amendments

PODGORICA, 15 December 2014 - OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today met with media representatives in Montenegro to support their work on amending the ethical code as an essential step in strengthening media self-regulation. She also met the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milo Djukanović, to discuss the media freedom situation in the country, welcoming the constructive approach by the authorities.

“Strengthening self-regulation is the best way to deal with controversial and ethically problematic content and I am pleased to work with key media representatives in Montenegro on this issue,” Mijatović said. “Existing legislation can and should be used to deal with illegal content”. 

Participating in the meeting were representatives delegated by the Media Council for Self-regulation, the daily newspapers Dan and Vijesti, and the Monitor weekly. The process of strengthening media self-regulation is supported by the Council of Europe and the OSCE.

During the meeting with the Prime Minister, Mijatović said that the proposed amendments to the media law in Montenegro could limit media freedom.

“These amendments would make it possible to ban the distribution of media, which is an extreme measure. Any changes to the media law need to be very carefully considered to preserve fundamental freedoms and should be subject to public debate including all stakeholders,” Mijatović said.

The proposed amendments have been approved by the Political, Judiciary and Administration Committee of the Parliament and are expected to be sent into the parliamentary procedure for voting on 16 December.

Today’s meeting on self-regulation was a direct follow-up to the meeting of media representatives in Vienna on 13 October, and to the Representative’s official visit to Montenegro on 2 July and subsequent meetings with media and civil society representatives in the country.

The next meeting of the working group is scheduled to take place in January 2015.

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.