By We share the assessment of the Media Centre, the Centre for Civic Education, the Centre for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro and the Media Institute of Montenegro that the parliamentary majority knowingly violated the Law on RTCG two days ago when appointing members of the RTCG Council. MPs voted on each candidate individually instead of voting on the proposed list as a whole, as explicitly required by Article 29, paragraph 2 of the Law. This conduct has opened the door to political interference in the appointment of individuals who, by the very nature of their role, should be independent of both the executive and legislative branches of government.
We recall that this is not the first attempt to place the RTCG Council under political control. The previous parliamentary majority similarly sought to secure a favourable majority on the Council by violating the legally prescribed procedure and criteria. Only after lengthy court proceedings, which lasted for years, was it established that those decisions had been unlawful – but by then, the damage to the institution’s independence had already been done and public trust in RTCG had been further undermined. Costly and protracted judicial correction of political abuses must not become the standard mode of operation of this institution.
The fact that the new parliamentary majority, which until recently criticised precisely this kind of conduct while in opposition, is now repeating the same pattern demonstrates that the problem does not lie with individual political parties. Rather, it reflects a systemic willingness to treat independent institutions such as RTCG as political spoils instead of a public good.
This is also a test for the European Union. The EU Delegation to Montenegro clearly called on Parliament to comply with the law when appointing members of the Council – a call that was ignored. We expect the EU’s response this time not to be limited to expressions of concern, but to include an unequivocal condemnation of the violation of the law. We also expect this issue to be specifically monitored in Montenegro’s progress reports under the sections concerning media freedom and the rule of law. Without clear consequences for systemic violations of the law, no future government will have any reason to change its conduct.
We also call on the State Prosecutor’s Office to urgently decide on the criminal complaints already filed in connection with the documentation submitted by candidates for membership of the RTCG Council.
Tea Gorjanc Prelević, Human Rights Action (HRA)
Radomir Kračković, Trade Union of Media of Montenegro
Maja Raičević, Women’s Rights Centre
Aida Perović, NGO Prima
Darko Ivanović, NGO 35mm
Nevenka Vuksanović, Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM)
Slavica Striković, NGO Women’s Action
Nataša Nelević, NOVA – Centre for Feminist Culture
Muamera Muslić, NGO Giacomo Adriatic
Zorana Marković, Centre for Development of Non-Governmental Organisations (CRNVO)
Nataša Međedović, SOS Hotline for Women and Children Victims of Violence Nikšić
Mira Saveljić, Women’s Safe House
