We strongly condemn the decision of the Minister of Defence, Dragan Krapović, to deny access, without any legal basis, to certain media outlets – Antena M, Analitika portal, TVE and ETV portal – at the Ministry of Defence press conference.
We remind that the Media Law, Article 38, Paragraph 1, clearly stipulates that accreditation cannot be denied to a journalist for events organized by public sector entities or other entities where media presence is expected. By doing so, the Minister directly violated the law and the obligations of the institution he leads.
Such practice constitutes 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 right of public to access information. Moreover, denying access solely to certain editorial offices is contrary to international standards of media freedom protection.
The Government of Montenegro is obliged to ensure equal treatment for all journalists and media, regardless of their editorial policy.
Therefore, we call on the Minister of Defence to reverse his decision, and on the Minister of Culture and Media to clearly stand in defense of journalists and media whose work is being restricted by the authorities.
We will also inform international organizations monitoring the state of media freedom in Montenegro about this case.
Tea Gorjanc Prelević, Human Rights Action (HRA)
Daliborka Uljarević, Centre for Civic Education (CCE)
Maja Raičević, Women’s Rights Center (WRC)
Milka Tadić Mijović, Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN-CG)
Mila Radulović, Association of Professional Journalists of Montenegro
Milena Popović Samardžić, Ipso Facto
Olivera Nikolić, Montenegrin Media Institute (MIM)
Goran Đurović, Media Center
Dina Bajramspahić, civic activist
Jovana Marović, civic activist
Paula Petričević, civic activist