PODGORICA, 27.03.2018. – In the past six years, from 2011 to the second half of 2017, Montenegrin courts have worked on 109 cases related to compensation for damages based on a lawsuit against journalists/media. More than a million and two hundred thousand euros were claimed for damages.
Of the total of 109 cases, 80 cases were resolved, the claim was adopted or partially adopted in 24 cases and a total of 45,300 euros was awarded for compensation.
However, although the amount request for compensation in lawsuits totaled to EUR 1,245,061 significantly less was awarded, 3.64 percent.
If we review individual amounts awarded per judgment, they range from EUR 500 to EUR 2,000, while in one case, EUR 5,000 was awarded, and in one EUR 7,000.
On average in 2015 awarded compensation per case was EUR 2,750, in 2016 EUR 1,945, and in the first half of 2017 EUR 1,887.
Lawsuits for breach of honor and reputation are decreasing
When it comes to the number of cases against media and journalists for breach of honor and reputation, it is noted that their number slightly decreased. This decline was particularly noted in the first half of 2017.
In 2011, 21 lawsuits were submitted, in 2012 9 lawsuits, in 2013 14 lawsuits, in 2014 22 lawsuits, in 2015 19 lawsuits, in 2016 18 lawsuits, and in the first half of 2017 four lawsuits.
Out of 109 cases, in 13 cases the lawsuit was filed against both the media and journalists.
In other cases, the lawsuits were filed only against the media. Out of the aforementioned 13 cases, the three claims were partly accepted. According to Supreme Court data which FOS reviewed in four cases, the request was rejected, the lawsuit was withdrawn in two cases, while the proceedings are ongoing in four cases. In only one case, the lawsuit was filed exclusively against journalists and that lawsuit was withdrawn.