By PODGORICA, 31.10.2024 – The European Commission’s report highlights the lack of social dialogue and collective bargaining in the media sector, poor working conditions in Montenegrin newsrooms, and pressures from various sides that lead to censorship and self-censorship, alongside traditional safety concerns. This fully confirms the ongoing concerns raised by the Trade Union of Media of Montenegro about media freedom and working conditions.
Adding to this, the alarming situation at the Public Service, resulting from two legally confirmed unlawful appointments of the general director, also noted in the report, shows that Montenegro still has a long way to go toward achieving independent, politics-free media.
The Trade Union of Media of Montenegro welcomes the attention paid in the report to collective bargaining, pointing out that it mostly happens at the national level, while “some important sectors remain without collective agreements, such as the banking sector or the media.” It’s worth noting that adopting a sectoral collective agreement is one of the commitments outlined in the Media Strategy; however, despite numerous efforts, the Union has not yet convinced employers to negotiate and sign this document.
It is also noteworthy that the report omits the statement about balanced reporting by the Public Service, a phrase frequently used by RTCG management throughout the year to obscure other critical aspects of the report regarding the selection process for the state-funded media’s leadership. Now, one of the report’s recommendations clearly states that Montenegro needs to “safeguard against any form of undue influence on the editorial, institutional or financial independence of the public broadcaster RTCG, which needs to comply fully with the law and with the highest standards of professional integrity and accountability.”
Two additional recommendations emphasize the need for continued, timely, and effective protection of journalists, through law enforcement and protection against all forms of violence. Authorities should prioritize investigations and legal resolution of key unresolved cases, ensure consistent enforcement of all media-related laws, and adhere to a zero-tolerance policy for any form of pressure or harassment against journalists, including by public officials. No past cases have been resolved, and our database at safejournalists.net recorded four incidents this year involving high-ranking politicians as perpetrators.
We also hope that the relevant institutions will address the report’s reference to the low response rate from the public sector and media regarding reporting public funds paid to the media for advertising and marketing.
