By The revised version of the Code of Ethics for Journalists in Montenegro was officially presented today at Europe House in Podgorica.
The updated Code introduces new and more comprehensive provisions on online comments and hate speech, while also improving standards for reporting on the right to privacy, political events and elections, transparency, and the protection of minors and victims.
Digital transformation, the growing availability of artificial intelligence (AI), and new forms of hate speech have also raised issues that were not considered during the previous revision of the Code a decade ago. The use of artificial intelligence has led to the introduction of new ethical approaches and the requirement that journalists verify content generated with the assistance of such tools.
The new version of the Code also provides that the right to privacy is no longer addressed under a single principle, but is incorporated throughout other sections of the document. In addition, the prohibition against prejudging the outcome of court proceedings has been further clarified.
Other new provisions concern the use of social media, respect for intellectual property rights, clear labelling of illustrative photographs, the imposition of embargoes that delay the publication of information, and reporting on medical research and treatments, which requires a cautious and responsible approach. treatments, which requires a cautious and responsible approach. The Code also introduces the right to be forgotten, referring to a person’s request that media outlets and journalists partially or fully remove media content, personal information, or other data that may affect an individual’s privacy and reputation.
The drafting of the new version of the Code of Ethics, which was originally adopted in 2002 and revised in 2015, was supported by UNESCO, the OSCE, and the Council of Europe. The Working Group, composed of domestic and international media experts, focused on improving the Code in light of the development of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and broader technological changes in society.
The new version of the Code is available at:
https://www.medijskisavjet.me/images/sampledata/dokumenti/Kodeks_novinara_i_novinarki_Crne_Gore_07_2026.pdf
