Podgorica, (MINA) - Certain media outlets in Montenegro have grossly violated the Journalists’ Code of Ethics and shown irresponsibility towards the public and the profession by publishing a video of an attempted murder that took place in Budva on Thursday, the Media Council for Self-Regulation (MSS) announced.

The MSS said that publishing explicit footage of violence, including freeze-frames or photographs depicting brutal scenes, does not serve the public interest.

“On the contrary, such footages disturb the public, foster a sense of insecurity and violate the basic ethical norms of journalistic reporting”, the press release says.

It is stated that the media outlets have an obligation to inform, but not to shock or exploit the tragedy for the sake of sensationalism.

The MSS said that, in this particular case, the video does not contribute to the identification of the perpetrator, as the attacker is not clearly visible and cannot be recognized by the general public.

“If there was a need for the public to get involved in the identification of the perpetrator, it would be the exclusive responsibility of the police and other competent authorities, who would deliver relevant information to the media in a controlled and lawful manner”, the MSS stated.