Montenegro is finally raising the alarm about sexism and gender-based violence against female journalists! The Professional Journalists’ Association of Montenegro (DPNCG) can no longer stay silent while women in the public sphere endure verbal attacks, threats, and insults often treated as minor offenses. Is it possible that in the 21st century, in a country aspiring to European standards, women doing their jobs face such violence, yet the law fails to recognize it as a criminal offense?
A panel held in Montenegro gathered journalists, civil activists, politicians, and state prosecutors who clearly stated: it’s time for tougher laws! The proposal is to amend the criminal code to explicitly define and punish sexism and gender-based violence, especially in the online space where threats have become daily occurrences.
The statistics are shocking: last year, 14 cases of attacks on journalists were opened, 9 of which involved female journalists. In just the first half of this year, 6 out of 9 cases concern women in journalism. Online threats and insults are on the rise, and the legal system often cannot respond adequately because there is no legal framework treating such attacks as criminal offenses.
The examples are chilling: journalist Itana Kaluđerović received a death threat on Facebook, the prosecution filed a criminal complaint, but the court only punished the perpetrator with a misdemeanor fine. Another journalist, Ana Raičković, received police protection due to threats but still does not feel safe.
DPNCG and other organizations demand that journalists, especially women, be granted official status, which would allow for more effective protection. They also call for greater solidarity among women and continuous education of media workers about gender stereotypes and prejudices.
Politicians are also criticized for irresponsible behavior and spreading hate speech, which further fuels violence against women in the public sphere. Overall, Montenegro stands at a crossroads: will it finally put an end to sexism or allow violence against female journalists to continue?
If you think this is just another story about problems no one solves, think again. Drop a comment, share your thoughts, or tell your story — maybe you’ll be the spark that ignites change!
