Podgorica, (MINA) – Several media and civil society organizations from the region and Europe have condemned the criminal complaint filed against journalists of the Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN), Andrea Perisic and Djurdja Radulovic, saying that n attack on investigative journalism is an attack on the public’s right to know.

Media and non-governmental organizations sent an open letter to Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic and Prime Minister Milojko Spajic, in which they expressed full solidarity with Perisic and Radulovic, who are facing criminal proceedings after the publication of their investigative article “Security checks in ANB: Are more people employed at the will of the powerful?”.

The organizations said they were deeply concerned by attempts to criminalize investigative journalism.

“Criminal proceedings against journalists for reporting on matters of public interest pose a serious threat to media freedom and carry the risk of creating an intimidation effect, which discourages investigative journalism and deters sources from exposing illegalities”, reads the letter sent to the media by the Southeast European Media Organization (SEEMO).

The letter signatories also expressed concern over the attempt to force journalists to reveal their confidential sources.

They stressed that investigative journalism without effective protection of sources cannot fulfill its essential democratic role in holding power holders to account.

Public officials and institutions, according to them, especially those with significant state powers, should respond to public scrutiny with transparency and accountability, and not with legal procedures that could undermine media freedom.

“Therefore, we call on the competent prosecutorial and judicial authorities of Montenegro to treat this case strictly in accordance with the Constitution and laws of Montenegro, as well as with the obligations that Montenegro under international standards on the protection of freedom of expression and media”, the letter reads.

The signatories also called on Spajic, the Government and Milatovic to react and protect journalists, to confirm the right to protect their confidential sources, preserve media freedom and ensure that no investigative journalist is exposed to intimidation, retaliation or criminal sanctions for reporting on matters of legitimate public interest.