IMCG: Sadiković made a mistake about the Code, put the facts in the wrong context with the photomontage of Đukanović

The Media Institute of Montenegro (IMCG) sent a complaint to the Radio Television of Montenegro (RTCG) Ombudsman, Danijela Popović, about journalist Sead Sadiković's contribution on revenge pornography, with a request to consider the remarks indicating a violation of professional standards. They assessed that the author of the article put the facts in the wrong context with the photo montage of the President of Montenegro and diverted attention from the public topic to mocking the President.
Sadiković did not offer a single fact that the President of Montenegro can be placed in the context of revenge pornography and online violence. The author has not clearly and unequivocally explained to the public what problem he wants to point out with the photomontage. On the contrary, such an intervention brought confusion, introduced an inappropriate joke into a sensitive topic, diverted attention from the essence of the problem, and the author thus put women, interlocutors of the article and those who survived this type of violence, into the background and denied them full respect - they assessed in IMCG.
They believe that in this way the good intention of the author of the article, to open up the topic of victims of revenge pornography and online violence, especially in small, traditional communities, is meaningless.
We believe that Sadiković was wrong about several members of the Code of Journalists of Montenegro, that he misused the facts and put them in the wrong context, that he did not clearly separate his personal comment and explain it to the public - underlined the IMCG.
They say that social criticism is desirable, and that satire and humor as its more provocative, cruder expression, "which makes Sadiković's journalistic work authentic", are additionally protected by conventions on freedom of speech.
The use of humor and satire in the specific contribution, in our opinion and for the reasons stated, is not in accordance with professional standards. This is especially so, if we consider the sensitivity of the topic and the vulnerability of women and girls who have faced this problem - IMCG pointed out.
They said they were not suggesting a ban on the use of the image and works of the president or any public figure in desirable social criticism and satire.
We remind you that public figures are obliged to suffer a greater degree of criticism, even when it is harsh, harsh, but also in these cases it is the duty of the journalist to respect human dignity and not abuse the facts by putting them in the wrong context - they concluded. from IMCG.
M. J.