20. 08. 2002

Statement - Media Task Force, Montenegro Media Working Group

Media Task Force, Montenegro Media Working Group August 18, 2002 Media Legislation in Montenegro: Control of politics over media We, the Montenegro Media Working Group, express our deep concern about the continuing control of politics and politicians over media in Montenegro. Recent changes in the media legislation – adopted on 18 July 2002 by the new parliamentary majority in the Montenegrin Parliament – represent a significant step backwards for media freedom. We therefore strongly urge Western governments, the European Commission and international (non-governmental) organisations to exert significant pressure on the Montenegrin government and parliament to (1) undo these changes and (2) adopt a new set of media laws, already developed together with the Council of Europe. The Montenegro Media Working Group is a group of 21 media professional, representing various media outlets, non-governmental organizations as well as members of the government in Montenegro. The group functions under the auspices of the Media Task Force of the Stability Pact for SEE. In the last 11 months, three new media laws (general, broadcasting and public service) were drafted by the Media Legislation Working Group in cooperation with the Council of Europe. These laws, agreed upon by all interested parties, would have put an EU-compatible legislative framework for the media in place. Instead of adopting these laws, the Parliament of Montenegro resorted to a short-term solution that basically prolongs and strengthens political control over media, seriously endangers freedom of expression and information and extends restrictive measures not only towards state media but also towards private independent media. As a group of local media experts, we protest adamantly against this. The Montennegro Media Working Group asks the politicians, both those in power and those in opposition, to adopt the laws drafted in cooperation with the Council of Europe as soon as possible and thus confirm their previously declared orientation towards media reform. We are concerned that in the coming period compromises between political parties will be made at the expense of professional journalism and media freedom, thus harming the citizen’s right to be objectively and fully informed. We therefore ask the international community to monitor the developments closely and see to it that any changes in media legislation in Montenegro represent a step towards European integration, instead of away from it. On behalf of the MWG, the Chairman Sasa Brajovic