OSCE Mission to Montenegro supports strengthening the State Election Commission’s capacity to communicate through the media

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized a workshop for the State Election Commission (SEC) on communication strategies with the national and local media on 9 and 10 December 2019 in Podgorica.

The two-day workshop introduced commissioners and service staff to the principles and practical tools necessary to establish effective communication strategies with the media.

Opening the workshop, Siv-Katrine Leirtroe, Deputy Head of the Mission, said that the media plays an indispensable role in the functioning of any open and democratic society. “Democratic elections are measured by the ability of citizens to participate and exercise their democratic right to vote. To achieve this, the media play a crucial role in explaining the election process to voters,” said Leirtroe. She added that the Mission remains committed to support the SEC as it develops strategies and approaches to engage with the media, since the media is a key tool to enable the Commission to communicate its work and the electoral process to voters.

Veljo Čađenović, SEC Secretary said: “Communication with the media is an important topic for the SEC. Today’s expert offered good ideas and the workshop participants developed a better appreciation for communicating through the media to citizens. We will continue to work with the OSCE in this area.”

Danica Ilić, media expert said that the SEC operates in a diverse media environment. “It is necessary to strengthen the SEC capacity to engage with the media in the public interest. Opening to the media has challenges, but communicating through the media about the work of the SEC will help enhance public confidence in the electoral process,” said Ilić.

The two-day workshop was a part of the Mission’s 2019 project on electoral assistance to the SEC, aimed at improving the transparency of the work of the institution.