Did you know that TVCG, Montenegro’s national public broadcaster, uses footage of people without their consent? Yes, you read that right! Dragoljub Vuković, president of the Media Center Assembly, openly accuses TVCG of abusing his speech in a show signed by chief editor Vladimir Otašević. Although Vuković once spoke for free on TVCG, that doesn’t mean the broadcaster can do whatever it wants with the recorded material. Every new use of footage requires the speaker’s consent, especially since context can completely change the meaning of what was said. However, TVCG aired his speech without informing viewers about the actual time and reason for the appearance, which is a serious professional ethical issue.
The Media Center, led by Vuković, has long fought against illegalities and abuses at the national public broadcaster, which they claim is controlled by the political majority and management illegally appointed. Montenegro’s Journalists’ Code clearly states that facts must be presented in the correct context and that consent from interviewees is necessary for publishing interviews. In this case, TVCG violated these principles, misleading viewers and abusing Vuković’s speech.
Vuković demands a public apology from TVCG and announces further steps if it does not happen. This case casts a shadow over the professionalism and independence of Montenegro’s public broadcaster, which should be a pillar of objective information, not a tool for political manipulation. Will TVCG finally stop these abuses or continue to ignore ethical standards? Drop your thoughts below — maybe you’ve got the fix for this media mess!
