Vujović claims that Bogdanović never said that Television E, M Portal and Portal Analitika were on the payroll of criminal clans

SOURCE:ANTENA M-AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS

Montenegrin Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović sent a statement regarding the statement of the Democratic Party MP and her party colleague Boris Bogdanović that "Television E, M Portal and Portal Analitika as media outlets are on the payroll of criminal clans".

Vujović claims that he did not say that.

We are publishing her statement in full:

"Freedom of the media is the foundation of democracy and one of the most important principles that the Government of Montenegro consistently defends, which is also recognized by international addresses in their reports.

Protection of freedom of the media does not imply the right of anyone to be exempt from public and political criticism, especially when it refers to phenomena that can prevent harmful consequences for society.

In this specific case, and after reviewing the transcript of MP Bogdanović's speech, and after talking to him, it is important to emphasize the fact that MP Boris Bogdanović did not, at any time, say that Television E, M Portal and Portal Analitika as media outlets are on the payroll of criminal clans.

In his speech, he spoke about individuals who have ties to criminal clans, who exercise unauthorized influence on the media, and who defend corrupt police officers, and he also emphasized that these are not journalists or editors.

Such statements, regardless of whether we agree with them or not, made in a political debate tone, in a free speech form, without citing specific names, fall within the framework of parliamentary debate and, in a political struggle, and not in limiting the freedom of the media, and targeting journalists.

Therefore, MP Bogdanović did not target free and independent media, nor journalists as a profession, but rather expressed a political position and suspicions related to political-media centers of power, including possible connections between certain structures that have influence on the media and organized crime.

I call on the media to act in accordance with the boundaries of the Constitution, law and the Journalists' Code, which oblige them to report truthfully, verified and timely to the public, and I call on public officials to be as precise and clear as possible in their expressions. In this way, we will together defend and nurture free and independent journalism."