The Ministry of Defense, headed by Minister Dragan Krapović of Democratic Montenegro, refused to accredit a journalist from the radio station and portal Antena M for a press conference of that Government department. In addition, the portal Analitika, TV E and the ETV portal did not even receive an invitation to the press conference organized on the occasion of the official visit of Slovenian Defense Minister Borut Sajovic.
According to Antena M, after they accredited journalist Bojana Dabović for the event, upon the Ministry’s invitation, they received a response from the Ministry saying that the invitation had been sent to them by mistake.
“We inform you that your accreditation will not be accepted,” the Ministry wrote in its response to Antena M.
After Antena M published the news, Analitika, E TV and the portal of that television channel stated that they had not even been invited to attend the conference..
Sever: Such actions must not be tolerated
Maja Sever, President of the European Federation of Journalists, told Antena M there is no argument that could justify the Ministry’s actions.
She reminded that ministers and public officials serve the public, while journalists, who convey information, also work in the public interest. For that reason, she stressed, such behavior by the Ministry is unacceptable.
“I simply don’t understand how someone can even think of doing that. Especially in this case — you send an invitation and then withdraw it, and it is very clear why: they believe they can choose the media outlets from which they do not expect uncomfortable questions. But that’s not how it works. Once you take on public office — ultimately, even when you run for a public position — you must be ready to answer questions, whether they are pleasant or unpleasant,” she said, emphasizing that such actions must not be tolerated.
TUMM: A direct attack on freedom of information and a violation of the law
The Trade Union of Media of Montenegro (TUMM) strongly condemned the attempt to discriminate against Antena M.
“This act, besides being unacceptable and a direct attack on freedom of information, is also a violation of the Law on Media,” they stated.
According to TUMM, the Ministry of Defense and Minister Krapović, in addition to violating the rights of journalists and media, also undermined the public’s right to be timely and objectively informed about matters of public interest.
In their assessment, such practices demonstrate a non-transparent and authoritarian approach to the media and must not have a place in a society that strives for democracy and European values.
Group of NGOs: The Minister should reverse his decision
Condemnation also came from the rest of tje civil sector, namely Action for Human Rights, the Center for Civic Education, the Center for Women’s Rights, the Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro, the Association of Professional Journalists, Ipso Facto, the Media Institute of Montenegro and the Media Center.
These NGOs, in a joint statement signed also by civic activists Dina Bajramspahić, Jovana Marović and Paula Petričević, stated that such a practice represents a form of media discrimination and a gross violation of the Constitution of Montenegro, which guarantees freedom of expression, freedom of the press and the public’s right to access information.
“Moreover, denying access to only certain newsrooms is contrary to international standards of media freedom protection. The Government of Montenegro is obliged to ensure equal treatment of all journalists and media, regardless of their editorial policy,” they said.
They called on the Minister of Defense to change his decision, and on the Minister of Culture and Media to clearly stand in defense of the journalists and media whose work is being restricted by the authorities.