By “The Trade Union of Media of Montenegro (TUMM) has a responsibility to stand by our colleagues, to show solidarity and unity as we prepare for the moment when more concrete action will be expected of us as well, when we too, in Montenegro, will have to defend something that is under threat but has not yet been crushed: the freedom of media workers to report objectively and professionally without being punished or dismissed for doing so,” said Marijana Camović Veličković, President of the TUMM, at a press conference held this evening in Podgorica in support of colleagues working in independent media in Serbia, including journalists from the Nova.rs news portal, Nova S television, N1 television and its news portal, the daily newspaper Danas, the weekly Radar and Forbes magazine.
At the same time, a protest and a solidarity press conference were held in Belgrade and Ljubljana, respectively, while media associations and trade unions from Croatia also expressed their support for journalists in Serbia.
Photo: TUMM
“We stand in solidarity with and admire our colleagues in Serbia, who are setting an example for all of us these days, showing us how to defend our profession and what journalism truly means. In doing so, they are setting the bar extremely high, reminding those of us who have grown comfortable in our daily routines why this is a profession worth fighting for. Whether we will be free people or subjects is another question that is answered at moments like these. And when it comes to the colleagues we have gathered here to support tonight, the answer is clear. Media ownership structures and imposed editors cannot subjugate free people, even just ten days before historic elections in Serbia,” she said.
Camović Veličković also recalled the right of newsroom staff to have a say in the appointment of their editor-in-chief, a provision included in Montenegro’s Media Law thanks to TUMM’s efforts.
“This is an opportunity to remind everyone of that right, as well as the obligation of media owners in Montenegro to consult employees when appointing editors-in-chief. Now is the time for them to learn from the mistakes of others, establish clear rules and be prepared for change. We hope that, following Nova’s experience, media employers now understand why it is important for editors to be welcomed by their newsrooms rather than imposed on them by force. As the slogan of our protest says: ‘Media Are Not Just a Business, Journalistic Integrity Is Not for Sale,’” she said.
Radomir Kračković, Vice-President of the Trade Union of Media of Montenegro, pointed out that changes in ownership at these media outlets have led to attempts to impose new editors and journalists who previously worked, or still work, for competing outlets and media organisations with entirely different editorial policies. He cited the Nova.rs newsroom as an example of the solidarity that media workers in Montenegro should also strive for.
“The entire newsroom of that portal has opposed the appointment of new editors and is standing united in its efforts to preserve its existing independent editorial policy, despite pressure from the new management. All of this is happening at a sensitive time, during the campaign for Serbia’s parliamentary elections, clearly illustrating the political pressure being exerted on these outlets with the aim of changing how they report on key issues in Serbian society. The decision by the N1 newsroom to refuse to host Aleksandar Vučić, after he had rejected their invitations for years and orchestrated attacks against their journalists, deserves every respect. It shows that politicians cannot control absolutely every media outlet at their whim,” Kračković said.
photo: TUMM
Speakers at the press conference stressed that the Trade Union of Media of Montenegro’s support for colleagues in Serbia was not about changes in media ownership, but solely about respect for professional integrity and journalistic freedom.
“Media outlets are businesses that can be bought and sold. Likewise, media owners have the right to make business decisions, and no one disputes that. However, every media owner or manager should understand that editorial independence and journalistic integrity are fundamental principles of journalism as a free profession. These principles cannot simply be changed overnight or overridden to serve political or other interests. Journalistic autonomy means the right of journalists to work freely and report on matters of public interest, in accordance with the facts and professional standards,” Kračković said during his address.
The gathering concluded with a message that editorial independence, professional integrity and the labour rights of journalists and media workers are the foundations of a free and democratic society. Given that these changes in ownership and management have raised concerns about professional autonomy and working conditions, the Trade Union of Media of Montenegro expresses its solidarity with colleagues in Serbia and calls for the protection of media freedom, the dignity of the profession and the right of employees to carry out their work free from pressure.
