WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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SOURCE: E TV / AUTHOR: M.J. GDNUS
Long-time editor at Radio Television of Montenegro (RTCG) Vesna Pejović sent a letter to the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Montenegro Johan Satler, saying that his absence from the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Public Service encouraged her because, as she said, whatever the motive, she considers it positive because with his participation he would give legitimacy to the illegal Director General Boris Raonic.
- Numerous generations, including my own, have spent decades building the image of the Public Service Broadcaster, which has never been more seriously damaged than it is now and can be compared to the nineties - Pejović stated.
She added that the celebration of the significant anniversary was an opportunity to, for the umpteenth time, point out the scandalous decisions of the RTCG Council.
- I, along with my colleagues, candidates for the position of Ombudsman from RTCG, already wished you a welcome to Montenegro at the beginning of September when we requested a meeting to present to you the worrying situation in that media house. Whether due to busyness or lack of interest in the huge problems in the so-called public service, the meeting has not taken place so far, so I am taking this opportunity to address you publicly in the hope that ignoring issues that do not suit you is not your manner. In Montenegro, just using the example of RTCG, this is common practice, and from numerous institutions that clearly do not want to do the job they are responsible for - Pejović emphasized in her letter to Satler.
Turning a blind eye to the facts
She said that his prompt and justified reaction to the recent attack on Pobjeda journalist Ana Raičković gave her hope that, in addition to protocol meetings, he would also deal with the numerous problems in our society that the EU warns us about in its reports, and, as she added, why not finally with the Public Service.
Since that was not possible, she said that she had no choice but to ask him a few questions on behalf of the citizens of Montenegro, from whose pockets the Public Service is financed, and as she said, of course, not small appanages of the Council members.
- Would you remain silent if court decisions on the illegal appointment of the general director were not respected in your country, which the Council of that company persistently ignores? - asked Pejović, adding that the irony is even greater because it is the EU that constantly warns us about problems in the judiciary, as well as corruption.
Satlera asked whether, if it were Austria, he would turn a blind eye to the fact that the prosecutor's office, the labor inspectorate, the relevant ministry and the Media Directorate remain deaf and mute to all reports and appeals for the Council to act in accordance with final judgments.
- Would you ignore and remain silent about the blatant adaptation of the Media Law to a person with a questionable degree and work experience? Is there a similar example of so much arrogance and impudence anywhere in the world, let alone in Europe? - Pejović asked clearly.
The long-time editor at the Public Service Broadcasting is also interested in whether the EU ambassador would pretend to be uninterested that in his country, the public service broadcaster has not had an ombudsman for months at a time due to the will of the Council - and that the Code of Journalists is being violated daily.
- I can't help but wonder by whose criteria the EU reports emphasize the alleged "balanced reporting of the public service" and we are witnessing numerous negative reactions from viewers, in the last month even two university professors who have experienced unpleasantness from such a public service - "the most trusted media"?! - Pejović underlined.
To the taste of the Council
She pointed out that as one of the candidates for the RTCG Ombudsman with many years of journalistic practice, as one of the founders of the journalistic self-regulatory body - the first in the history of Montenegrin journalism, but also as one of the authors and signatories of the Journalists' Code, she was not to the taste of the Council.
- And for good reason. In an author's text a few years ago, I criticized the scandalous decision of the newly appointed director general with the support of the Council to abolish the Department for Italian-speaking Cooperation, whose headquarters is RAI-Rome, thereby demonstrating their position on Montenegro's EU integration. I am immensely satisfied that two distinguished colleagues, respecting my experience and results, publicly withdrew their candidacies in my favor (which is almost unthinkable in Montenegro), but the Council had a plan to push in a friend and business partner of the president of that body who has been publicly labeled as a plagiarist... - explained Pejović.
In the fifth attempt, as she stated, an NN (I.I.) person who is not currently engaged in the media was recently elected.
- Because four distinguished journalists and media workers from that house, including the former ombudswoman, do not meet the criteria of the all-powerful Council, which is obviously above the law, despite the evident decrease in the general education of some of its members as well as the insufficient knowledge when it comes to the media - assessed the long-time editor at RTCG.
She also asked Satler if he would remain silent if an illegitimate general director of his country's public service sanctioned and suspended an employee who had been professionally performing her job for 28 years, accusing her without evidence and disciplinary proceedings of turning off the volume during the singing of the anthem, and, as she pointed out, attacking her on social networks.
- Due to the evident hypocrisy of EU leaders when it comes to Montenegro, which is the alleged leader in the region, due to the failure to respond to these and many other irregularities, I am afraid that you are losing the trust of citizens, my little one and my colleagues - despite the fact that we have dedicated decades of our lives and our professional work precisely to striving for European values - concluded Pejović in a letter to Satler.
