Media Meltdown or a Glimmer of Hope? Unbalanced Reporting in Montenegro’s Media Scene
Montenegro’s media pluralism is hanging by a thread, and independent journalism is fighting for survival. A fresh report from the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom, released this month, throws a cold splash of reality on the state of media freedom in the region. While the public broadcaster RTCG shows some progress in balanced reporting, the main commercial media houses are still drowning in bias and manipulation.
What’s Going Wrong with Media Freedom?
The report warns that fundamental democratic principles like freedom of expression and institutional checks and balances are increasingly under threat. Waves of disinformation campaigns, political manipulations, and widespread distrust are eroding the very foundations of independent journalism. Montenegro, along with Serbia, Turkey, and Albania, is categorized among countries with medium to high risk for media pluralism.
Legal Efforts: Laws on Paper, But What About in Practice?
New media laws, including those on audiovisual services and the public broadcaster, have been adopted. But their real-world impact remains to be seen. Resource shortages and regulatory gaps make fair and balanced reporting a tough nut to crack. Alarmingly, women journalists in Turkey and Albania face threats and harassment, and cases of illegal surveillance of journalists have been reported in Montenegro and Serbia.
Election Years: The Bias Gets Worse
Election years bring extra headaches. Across all EU candidate countries, including Montenegro, systematic bias favoring ruling parties was recorded despite regulations meant to ensure balanced coverage. Commercial media outlets show more imbalance than national public broadcasters, further eroding public trust.
Why Should You Care?
Media freedom and pluralism aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the backbone of any democracy. Their erosion means citizens lose access to objective information, crippling their ability to make informed decisions and hold power accountable. If this trend continues, Montenegro and the region could face serious democratic dysfunction.
The Bottom Line: Fighting for Media Space is Fighting for the Future
The report makes it clear: media pluralism in Montenegro and the region is under serious pressure. While legal frameworks and some progress exist, the real test is yet to come—how will these laws be enforced? Will independent media withstand the pressure and safeguard freedom of expression? Or will commercial interests and political manipulations continue to silence the truth?
Got thoughts on how media works in your country? Noticed some biased reporting? Drop a comment below. Who knows, your words might just spark a wildfire!
