Montenegro has improved the state of media and journalist safety through reform processes but needs to continue developing effective legal mechanisms for protection. Tamara Vujović emphasized at an international conference in Thessaloniki that journalist safety must be a shared responsibility of institutions, society, and the international community. She highlighted the importance of prevention, education, legislative measures, and combating abuse of judicial processes and online violence. Montenegro is recognized as a country with a high degree of media pluralism and freedom, but faces new threats such as SLAPP lawsuits. Institutions have strengthened cooperation and standard procedures to respond to attacks on journalists, and the state sends a clear message that such attacks will not be tolerated.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning reports emphasize the importance of systemic reforms, institutional responsibility, and international cooperation to protect journalists and media freedom. They highlight the need for prevention, education, and legislative measures to combat all forms of violence and pressure on journalists, including online harassment and SLAPP lawsuits. The narrative supports strengthening democratic values and pluralism in media as essential for a healthy society.
Center: Center-leaning articles focus on the progress Montenegro has made in media reforms and legal frameworks aligned with European standards. They acknowledge the challenges that remain, such as the need for effective legal mechanisms and quick state responses to attacks on journalists. The coverage tends to be factual, highlighting official statements and international recognition of Montenegro’s media pluralism and freedom status.
Right: Right-leaning perspectives may emphasize the importance of law and order, strict penalties for attacks on journalists, and the role of state institutions in ensuring security. They might also focus on the dangers of misuse of legal processes and the need to protect journalists from undue pressure while maintaining national stability. The narrative could stress the importance of national sovereignty in handling media regulation and security.
