Public broadcasters play a crucial role in preserving and strengthening democratic standards. The independence and professionalism of the media, particularly the public service RTCG, form the foundation for Montenegro’s progress on the path toward European integration, it was underlined during the opening of the conference „Who holds power over RTCG and to whom should it belong?”, organised by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE) within the project „Media for Democracy: Strengthening RTCG’s independence for Montenegro’s future”, with the support of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The First Secretary of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Corvin van Strien, reminded that the Netherlands attaches great importance to media freedom and freedom of expression, stressing that in democratic societies independent oversight of those in power is indispensable, and that the public service broadcaster plays a central role in upholding professional standards and the interests of citizens.
„A free and critical press is indispensable in a democratic society. In the Netherlands, the Government may not interfere with what people say or write… Media freedom enables journalists to monitor those in power and provide citizens with independent and factual information. It allows to check whether the actions and practices of politicians and businesses do not conflict with national or EU laws and regulations. Independent media therefore plays a crucial role as counterweight to powerful institutional or governmental narratives, acting as a cornerstone of a healthy and functioning democracy,” he explained.
He also stressed the importance of following the European Commission’s recommendations, particularly regarding alignment of media legislation with the European Media Freedom Act, the urgent appointment of all members of the Council of the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services, and the protection of editorial, institutional, and financial independence of the public broadcaster and the Agency from undue influence.
“ Our objective was to contribute to the further strengthening of media and press freedom in Montenegro, and we found a great and willing partner in the Centre for Civic Education. We hope that the results of our project, but also of today’s discussions, will contribute to an even stronger enabling media environment and an even stronger freedom of expression,” van Strien concluded.
Daliborka Uljarević, Executive Director of CCE, stated that “the citizens of Montenegro deserve an independent and professional public broadcaster as one of their rights, not as a privilege,” noting that the question of control over RTCG is “a question of the character of the society we live in and shape.”
She recalled that Montenegro has never had a genuine public service broadcaster, but only certain steps forward in the period when that outlet headed by Andrijana Kadija i Vladan Mićunović, assessing that „a constant of every government is the ambition to keep the public service broadcaster under control through control of the narrative, muting or marginalising critical voices, creating parallel realities and serving particularistic and party interests“.
Uljarević specifically warned about the situation regarding the appointment of RTCG’s General Director, calling it “an example of open and unscrupulous violation of court decisions and systematic undermining of the rule of law.”
She also stressed that, according to CCE’s findings soon to be published, serious issues exist in RTCG’s programming. “You will see how facts are concealed, how interlocutors are selectively chosen to create the appearance of pluralism, and how space is made for ideological revisionism dangerous for civil society,” she announced.
Power over RTCG, she emphasized, can only belong to the citizens, not to political centers or parties:
“RTCG must not be a prize, a tool, or a bargaining chip, but a pillar of information and a guarantor of democratic space.”
Uljarević thanked the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for supporting CCE’s project and highlighted that the fight for independent public broadcasters is ongoing but achievable, as demonstrated by examples from EU countries.
The conference gathered around 60 representatives from the media community, academia, institutions, and civil society organizations.
Maja Marinović, Programme Associate