Worrying working conditions for journalists in Montenegro

AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS

Montenegro has worrying working conditions for journalists, where those without formal employment often lack adequate social protection, according to the Report on Media Freedom in Europe for last year.

The report, titled "Confronting Political Pressure, Disinformation and the Erosion of Media Independence," was prepared for the Council of Europe (CoE) by partner organizations gathered in the Platform for the Promotion of the Protection of Journalists project.

"The risks faced by journalists reporting on Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine remained the most important concern related to the safety of journalists in Europe last year," the Report published on the CoE website states.

The report highlights that only four out of 35 European countries - Denmark, Germany, Ireland and Sweden - provide good working conditions for journalists.

"In contrast, Croatia, Montenegro and Romania have worrying working conditions, where journalists without formal employment status often lack adequate social protection," the document states.

When it comes to the handling of courts in cases of attacks on journalists, the conviction and punishment of individuals who threatened or attacked journalists in Montenegro were assessed as positive measures.

The document emphasizes that the murder of journalists remains one of the most heinous attacks on press freedom, but also that the perpetrators of such crimes in most cases remain unpunished.

The report also mentions numerous cases across Europe that have pointed to systemic failures in the investigation and prosecution of crimes against journalists, including the murder of the editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Dan", Duško Jovanović, which occurred in 2004.

The report warns of the growing threat of disinformation, including content generated by artificial intelligence, and state propaganda, which are used to manipulate public opinion and undermine independent journalism.

The platform partners are addressing a series of recommendations calling on the CoE, the European Commission and the 46 Council member states to strengthen legal protection for journalists, implement measures to protect against disinformation and combat media surveillance.

They call on governments and institutions to support press freedom through policy reforms, transparency and stronger protection against threats and harassment.