Centre for Civic Education (CCE) reminds that today marks 21 years since the murder of Duško Jovanović, Editor-in-chief of the daily newspaper Dan. This murder is not only a painful reminder of unresolved political violence with a tragic outcome, but also a serious test of the institutional maturity of Montenegrin society – a test that, even after two decades, remains failed.
Although an investigation was launched immediately after the crime and one perpetrator was partially convicted with final judgment, the key questions – who ordered the murder, what was the institutional responsibility, and in what political context did the crime occur – still remain unanswered. The lack of will to clarify these aspects points to systemic weaknesses and the persistence of a culture of impunity, further undermining the already fragile public trust in the rule of law.
It appears that changes in political structures have not brought a change in approach to this case. The murder of Duško Jovanović continues to be mentioned in a formalistic, and sometimes even instrumentalized manner, without genuine intent to uncover the full truth. Such an attitude not only denies justice to the Jovanović family, but also sends a dangerous message – that crimes against journalists can go unpunished if they encroach on politically sensitive areas.
CCE emphasizes that the media environment in Montenegro shows no sign that lessons have been learned from Duško Jovanović’s murder. On the contrary, we continue to witness hostile rhetoric towards the media and journalists, often coming from the highest public officials, merely because they disapprove of the reporting. Some representatives of the executive and legislative branches abuse their positions to exert (in)direct pressure on the media, question their integrity, or even announce measures that could lead to their shutdown or restriction.
Such conduct, especially when it comes from politically powerful individuals who are often shielded by immunity, discourages those engaged in investigative journalism or critical reporting on the government’s work. In this sense, freedom of expression in Montenegro suffers not only from individual attacks, but also from a systemic shaping of an environment that places journalists in a vulnerable, defensive, and legally unprotected position.
In the context of Montenegro’s European path, the issue of journalists’ safety and the effective prosecution of crimes against them is not just a professional and ethical obligation toward the media community – it is also a crucial indicator of the country’s commitment to democratic values. Until all aspects of Duško Jovanović’s murder are uncovered, and the practice of protecting journalists is consistently implemented, Montenegro will remain a society that fails to protect the basic rights of its citizens and falls short in building a democratic political culture.
Nikola Obradović, Programme Associate