PODGORICA, 15 June 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today welcomed revived initiatives by authorities in Montenegro to improve journalists’ safety, and continued efforts by the media community to improve media professionalism and self-regulation in the country.
In a meeting on 14 June with Prime Minister Milo Đukanović, Mijatović discussed the importance of resuming the work of the Commission supporting the authorities in the investigation of attacks and threats against journalists and the murder of Duško Jovanović.
“I welcome the Prime Minister’s support for the continued work of the Commission to end impunity for attacks against journalists,” Mijatović said. “My Office will continue to be heavily engaged in strengthening media freedom and improving working conditions for journalists in Montenegro.”
Mijatović today also met with the newly appointed Speaker of the Parliament, Darko Pajović and discussed the role of the Parliament in supporting media freedom and its role in democratic processes. She expressed the need to support and strengthen existing self-regulatory mechanisms to raise professional standards of journalism, without any interference from legislative or executive authorities.
During the visit the Representative also held meetings with journalists and members of the civil society.
On 14 June, the Representative’s Office also hosted a meeting of the Montenegrin Working Group on Self-Regulation. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Media Council for Self-regulation, the daily newspapers Dan and Vijesti and the weekly newspaper Monitor, as well as representatives from the Council of Europe, UNESCO, the EU Delegation to Montenegro, and the OSCE Mission to Montenegro. At the meeting a Memorandum of Understanding on implementing the provisions of the Montenegrin Journalists’ Code of Ethics was adopted.
“The adoption of the memorandum illustrates the willingness of the working group to continue their important efforts to strengthen media professionalism in the country,” Mijatović said. “It is a significant step and my Office will support strengthening of self-regulation in the country.”
On 16 June, Mijatović, will participate in European Broadcasting Union’s 76th General Assembly in Bečići and deliver a keynote speech at the event.