By The Trade Union of Media of Montenegro expresses its full and unconditional support for our colleague Jelena Jovanović, following the misogynistic and gross insult directed at her by Čedomir Radičević.
We emphasize that this incident is only the latest in a series of continuous online attacks, threats, and attempts at intimidation to which Jovanović has been exposed for years because of her journalistic work. She has previously reported multiple online attacks, insults, attempts at intimidation, including serious death threats, to the police.
We welcome the swift response of the police and judicial authorities, but at the same time call for the systematic strengthening of protective measures for journalists. Sanctions such as the fine imposed on Radičević last night may have a deterrent effect, but consistent protection and prevention are necessary to ensure a safe working environment for media professionals.
In light of current developments on the political scene, we particularly draw attention to the gender dimension of the threats faced by women journalists, as well as to the enormous level of harassment of women in the public sphere. The misogynistic comments and messages targeting Jovanović on the basis of her gender represent a pattern that is persistently repeated in society, and which, unfortunately, we also witness through the public statements and conduct of holders of the highest state offices.
We call on public officials, political actors, and all social stakeholders to recognize the harmfulness of such behavior and to clearly and unequivocally condemn every form of pressure, threats, and discrediting of media workers.
We remind citizens that their comments in the online space carry equal, if not greater, weight than those in everyday communication. Misogynistic, threatening, and discrediting comments, however unfounded, have real and harmful consequences for the individuals they target.
We encourage our colleagues to report all attacks, threats, and pressures, as Jelena Jovanović has done, because reporting is the first and necessary step toward protecting journalists and combating the normalization of violence against media professionals.
