Podgorica, (MINA) - The Media Council for Self-Regulation (MSS) has expressed serious concern over the legally binding decision of the High Misdemeanors Court in Bijelo Polje, which acquitted three adult defendants of responsibility for attacks and threats against journalists reporting from Gornje Zaostro, the MSS announced.

The MSS recalled that Pobjeda and Vijesti reporters were subjected to insults, threats, physical contact and confiscation of equipment while performing their professional duties, trying to document the removal of the illegally erected monument to Chetnik commander and war criminal Pavle Djurisic.

“Despite this, the epilogue of the misdemeanor proceedings is that there is not enough evidence”, said the MSS.

The Council stated that the role of church structures in the erection of the monument, the removal of which was the reason for the attack on journalists, was repeatedly pointed out in public.

“The fact that the monument to Djurisic, after being moved to the church and then to the monastery, was never found, nor has a clear and convincing explanation been provided to the public regarding the actions of the competent authorities in the case, is in particular concerning”, said the Council.

They added that in a democratic society it is legitimate to question whether all institutions in the case acted equally efficiently, impartially and free from the influence of any extra-institutional actors and whether the protection of journalists was treated as a priority in relation to other interests.

The MSS stressed that they do not prejudge the responsibility of any party, but expressed belief that the absence of a convincing and consistent institutional response creates a perception of impunity.