By The Trade Union of Media of Montenegro (SMCG), a representative trade union organization that includes around 700 members working in Montenegrin media—many of whom are employed by local public broadcasters—issued a letter today to Municipalities and Municipal Assemblies that are founders of such media. The letter reminded them of the new obligations delegated to them under the recently adopted Law on Audiovisual Services.
This law passed in Parliament in early June, introduced changes to the financing model for these media types, whose founders are municipalities. These changes will come into effect starting next year.
Specifically, Article 49 of the law, which addresses the financing of public broadcasters, outlines a scale that modifies the allocation of funds from municipal budgets. The SMCG’s letter aims to draw municipalities’ attention to these provisions so that they can accurately calculate and allocate appropriate amounts to local media when preparing their 2025 budgets.
“This approach will ensure financial stability for a vital segment of Montenegrin media—local public broadcasters—and consequently provide citizens of your municipalities with better access to local information, which we believe is a shared goal,” the letter stated. It also marked this as an initial step toward addressing long-standing challenges faced by media across Montenegro.
Article 49 stipulates different percentages for broadcasters depending on whether they provide radio-only or both radio and television programs.
Specifically, the funding is determined by the total annual current budget of the local government, reduced by capital expenditures and debt repayments.
- For local public broadcasters offering radio programs, the allocation ranges from 5.5% (for local budgets between €1 million and €5 million) to 0.8% (for local budgets exceeding €60 million).
- For local public broadcasters offering television programs, the allocation ranges from 6.5% (for local budgets between €1 million and €5 million) to 1.8% (for local budgets over €60 million).
Additionally, the funding for a local public broadcaster is increased by at least 5% if it publishes content on an online platform alongside radio or television programs.
Furthermore, the amount increases by 20% if the broadcaster’s production exceeds 50% of the total annual broadcast time of its television programming.
