Podgorica, (MINA) - Representatives of media outlets, the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office, the Media Trade Union (SMCG) and the Ministries of Justice, Interior, and Culture and Media signed on Friday a protocol establishing the National Journalists’ Protection Mechanism.

The protocol was signed during the conference “How to Improve the Safety of Media Workers”, by Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Markovic, Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujovic, Minister of Justice Bojan Bozovic, State Secretary in the Ministry of Interior Dragana Kazanegra Stanisic and SMCG chair Radomir Krackovic.

The document was also signed by Marija Tomasevic of Radio Television of Montenegro, Marijana Bojanic from Vijesti, Tinka Djuranovic from Portal Analitika, Milena Perovic from the weekly Monitor and Vladimir Utjesinovic from the Association of Local Public Broadcasters.

  

 

According to the press release, the document aims to establish a press safety mechanism, which will coordinate all protection activities and ensure timely response in cases of incidents and attacks on journalists and media outlets.

Krackovic stated that the establishment of the mechanism would, among other things, show Montenegro’s commitment to the European path and perhaps help meet certain final benchmarks in the chapters.

He said that the formation of the mechanism does not mean taking over the responsibilities of other institutions.

He said that, according to SMCG data, 20 cases of attacks, incidents and pressures on journalists were registered in the first nine months of this year, including one death threat and physical attacks on Pobjeda and Vijesti journalists in Berane in August.

Krackovic said that they also recorded several cases of verbal targeting of the media by certain politicians and institutions.

Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in Montenegro, Ricardo Serri, said that journalists play an important role in every democratic society.

He added that on November 4 the European Commission will release its report with an overall assessment of the situation in all areas, including press freedom. 

“As for violence against journalists, we have recently seen the authorities respond to such cases more promptly than in the past”, said Serri.

Head of the OSCE Mission in Montenegro Jan Haukas pointed out that the establishment of the National Mechanism is a key moment demonstrating the commitment of Montenegrin institutions, media professionals and international partners to strengthening media freedom and ensuring that journalists can work safely and independently.

 

 

Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Markovic expressed belief that this represents the first step towards an orderly, systemic approach to supporting and protecting journalists and the media, an approach that must ultimately be effective.

Markovic pointed out that progress has been made in protecting freedom of expression and media safety through the implementation of the directive adopted in March last year.

Minister of Culture and Media, Tamara Vujovic, said that the mechanism will enable quick response in case of threats to journalists, direct communication between institutions and journalists, legal and psychological assistance, as well as monitoring of all cases of attacks.

According to Vujovic, this is an important step towards the creation of a systemic, permanent and visible framework for the protection of journalists in Montenegro, as well as a strong message that the state treats this topic as a priority.

Minister of Justice Bojan Bozovic stressed that the problem that exists in Montenegro, regarding insufficient protection of journalists, has existed for a long time and did not emerge recently.

He pointed out that the Ministry of Justice has carried out certain criminal and legislative reforms regarding the protection of journalists.

State Secretary in the Ministry of Interior Dragana Kazanegra Stanisic said that journalists work in complex conditions all over the world and that modern times have brought new risks.

She noted that, in the first nine months of this year, the Police Administration registered 18 attacks on journalists and media outlets, linked to their professional engagement.