Centre for Civic Education (CCE) expresses serious concern over the charge filed against journalist Vesna Rajković Nenadić, as well as the scheduled hearing taking place today at 11:00 a.m., initiated under urgent procedure, all due to an ironic comment she posted on social media.
What would, in any democratic country, be recognized as satire and legitimate journalistic criticism of the lifestyle of public officials and their families, in Montenegro becomes the subject of a complaint, police action, and an attempt at institutional intimidation involving also the prosecution.
What is particularly worrying is that, in addition to a disproportionate institutional response, Vesna Rajković Nenadić is being subjected to a public smear campaign through insults, disparagement, and misogynistic comments aimed at silencing a journalist exercising her right to express an opinion. This reflects a broader atmosphere of intolerance toward those who dare to speak critically about power holders and their affiliates.
Montenegro has committed to building a society based on European standards, which includes the full application and protection of the rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. In this context, the CCE reminds that satire, irony, and exaggeration, especially when directed at the behaviour of public figures and those closely associated with them, enjoy a heightened level of protection under the European Convention on Human Rights and the standards of the European Court. A comment about designer sandals is neither a call to violence nor hate speech, but an expression of opinion that some may agree or disagree with, yet no one should end up in a police station because of it.
In democratic societies, the lifestyles of public officials and their family members are a legitimate subject of public interest, as they symbolize attitudes toward public office, public money, and the values these representatives convey to society. Commenting on this cannot and must not be treated as a misdemeanour or a criminal offense, but rather as a healthy practice of public oversight.
The CCE calls on the police and the prosecution to immediately withdraw this complaint and halt the proceedings, as continuing would harm not only the journalist but also the credibility of the institutions involved, which must act impartially. We also urge them to review their practice when it comes to the misuse of criminal law mechanisms in cases involving criticism of the government and its inner circles.