Podgorica, (MINA) – Although Montenegro’s Constitution and laws guarantee freedom of speech and expression, press freedom continues to be threatened by political interference, unresolved attacks on journalists and economic pressure, the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warned in its annual press freedom report, in which Montenegro has dropped in the rankings.

This year, Montenegro is ranked 41st out of 180 countries on the Press Freedom Index, a drop of four places compared to last year.

Among other countries in the region, the best ranked is Slovenia (36th place), and the lowest ranked is Serbia (104th place).

The RSF points out that Montenegro, as a country that seeks to join the EU, aligned its national legislation with European standards, but that concerns have arisen due to possible attempts by the authorities to interfere with the independence of the public broadcaster Radio and Television of Montenegro (RTCG).

“The parliamentary majority adopted a new law allowing the media’s general director to stay in power despite multiple court rulings deeming his appointment illegal”, the report reads.

As it is added, there are also concerns that foreign owners of some media outlets will influence editorial policies to serve the interests of other countries, such as Serbia, and their political actors.

RSF notes that freedom of expression is guaranteed in Montenegro and defamation is decriminalized, but that, despite numerous changes in recent years, there is still a gap in the legal framework in terms of free access to public information and protection of confidentiality of sources.

The report notes that almost all crimes against journalists in recent years have been resolved, but that many older cases remain unsolved.

“This is the case, for the 2004 assassination of newspaper editor Dusko Jovanovic i and the attempted murder of investigative journalist Olivera Lakic in 2018”, RSF said, adding that journalists are regularly targeted by smear campaigns fueled by politicians from ruling and opposition parties.