PODGORICA, 18.10.2017. – Assessments that media in the Western Balkans have been still subject to political pressures and have been struggling for self-regulation were heard at the presentation of programme “ Good Governance in Media”, organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, Ethical Journalism Network, and UNESCO.
Ethical Journalism Network considers that the quality of journalism does not depend on journalists, but on the ethics applied by editors and management. They pointed out that generally, rules of the game in media have changed, and journalism has been modernized. However, they emphasized that the Western Balkans remains challenging in that respect.
“The reality of media market in the Western Balkans remains a challenge, since media are still subject to political pressures and struggle for self-regulation. The talks on media values should be initiated within media themselves”, said Aidan White, Director of the Ethical Journalism Network.
According to a retired journalist from Norway, Bernt Olufsen, trust in media can only be achieved with openness. He added that audience would recognize quality and commitment to the work.
“As a journalist, I felt very uncomfortable when making a mistake, and as an editor I was always there to protect. Errors should be acknowledged, corrections made, and that is something that builds trust in media. Openness should be always present, even when you make a mistake,” Olufsen said.
White and Olufsen will have during this week meetings with representatives of some media houses in Montenegro, with whom they will discuss manners for improving media self-regulation and governance.