Podgorica, (MINA) – The Council of the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services (AMU) will initiate proceedings against TV Informer and Prva RS for, as announced, broadcasting content with elements of hate speech, denial of national identity and glorification of legally convicted war criminals.

The Council stated that the decision was made following the monitoring and a detailed analysis of the programs rebroadcast in Montenegro.

“Monitoring by the Agency’s expert services showed that the programs of both broadcasters aired the content that represents a violation of Article 7, paragraph 1 of the European Convention on Transfrontier Television, which stipulates that program materials must respect human dignity and fundamental rights of others, and must not incite hatred and intolerance”, the press release said.

The press release that the analysis established that the views expressed in the programs challenge the existence and legitimacy of Montenegrin national identity, deny the existence of the Montenegrin language.

They emphasized that they requested the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media of Serbia (REM) to take appropriate measures within its jurisdiction to determine responsibility and eliminate the observed irregularities, and to inform the Agency of the outcome of the measures taken in writing as soon as possible, and no later than two weeks from receipt of the notification.

The AMU Council said that, if violations of the prescribed standards continue after the deadline, they will take proportional measures to restrict the rebroadcasting of the programs of these broadcasters on the territory of Montenegro.