Attacks on Journalists in Montenegro: Why Do We Stay Silent While They Beat Us?
Introduction: Shocking Data on Violence Against Journalists Did you know that in just one year, Montenegro recorded as many as 24 attacks on journalists? And that’s not all – many of these attacks were never reported! Why? Because journalists lose trust in institutions and believe reporting is pointless. This is not just a statistic; it’s a glaring warning sign that media freedom in Montenegro is hanging by a thread.
Who Are the Victims and Who Are the Attackers? The most frequent targets are employees of media houses like Vijesti, RTCG, Antena M, TV E, and the city RTV Pobjeda. Shockingly, in 15 cases, the attackers were ordinary citizens! Does this mean violence and distrust towards the media have become normalized in society? Probably yes.
Types of Attacks: From Threats to Serious Injuries Out of 24 attacks, 15 were threats to safety, one case involved serious bodily injury, two cases involved damage to journalistic equipment, and six were various forms of harassment and intimidation. Although the law formally protects journalists, in practice, there is a serious gap. Justice often does not reach the victims, and perpetrators remain unpunished, often hiding behind pseudonyms online.
Why Don’t Journalists Report Attacks? Distrust in institutions is the main reason. Journalists feel reporting is futile and sometimes fear further pressure. This vicious cycle endangers not only their safety but also freedom of expression and the public’s right to the truth.
What Can Be Done? The Youth Activism Network of Montenegro (MOACG) is working to create a safer and more encouraging environment for journalists. MOACG President David Vukićević stresses that the state must prosecute attacks promptly and send a message that such violence will not be tolerated.
Conclusion: Media Freedom Is at Risk – It’s Time to Act! If this continues, Montenegro will lose not only its journalists but also the right to free and independent media. Without them, society is doomed to darkness and manipulation. So next time you hear about a journalist being attacked, ask yourself – what are we doing about it? Or will we keep silent while they beat us?
And hey, if you have a wild story about attacks on journalists or have experienced something similar yourself, drop a comment below. Let’s hear from those who refuse to stay silent!
