Podgorica, (MINA) – More than half of journalists in Montenegro use artificial intelligence (AI) in their work, while professional autonomy in the media suffers under increasing daily pressure, it was announced at the presentation of the survey “AI in the Newsrooms: the First Changes in Journalistic Practice in Montenegro”.

 

The survey, conducted by the Media Trade Union of Montenegro (SMCG), showed that the biggest challenge is not the use of AI itself, but the lack of clear editorial rules, oversight and a clear division of responsibilities.

 

SMCG Vice-President Marijana Camovic Velickovic said that the survey was conducted to identify early patterns of use of generative AI in Montenegrin newsrooms and to examine how journalists and editors perceive its impact on their daily work, professional control and relationship with audience.

 

The survey author Drazen Djuraskovic said that generative AI is already part of everyday work in journalism.

 

According to him, AI is already present in newsroom practices, with 54.93 percent of respondents using AI daily or occasionally.

 

“At the same time, our findings showed that professional autonomy is under pressure, as 36.62 percent of respondents believe that their work is being used to train AI without their knowledge or consent”, added Djuraskovic.

 

He also said that 76.06 percent of respondents assessed that audience has the right to know when the content has been created with the use of AI.

 

According to Djuraslkovic, the SMCG survey showed that AI is used primarily for support and technical tasks.

 

Djuraskovic said that the most important survey’s finding is that AI is mostly used in newsrooms through informal or implicit rules.

 

He added that generative AI is already part of daily journalistic practice, primarily as tool in research, translation, editing and structuring content.

 

“The biggest problem is not the use of AI itself, but the lack of clear editorial rules, overight and division of responsibilities”, Djuraskovic pointed out.

 

He stressed that AI raises the questions about professional autonomy, control over content and journalists’ contribution as authors.

 

“Since AI-generated and human content cannot be reliably distinguished, transparency towards audience becomes a fundamental condition for preserving trust,”, Djuraskovic concluded.