Citizens of Montenegro predominantly perceive the media landscape as being strongly shaped by political and economic interests, with a pronounced perception of sensationalism and pressure on investigative journalism. Nevertheless, the majority still expect the media to play a key democratic and social role. These are among the findings of a survey conducted by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE), within the project “Media for Democracy: Strengthening the Independence of RTCG for the Future of Montenegro”, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Most respondents (74.1%) believe that the political orientation of media owners significantly influences editorial policy, while around 70% recognise a tendency towards sensationalism and dramatisation in reporting. Additionally, 64.4% of respondents point out that the media often pass judgement before the courts, thereby violating the presumption of innocence and ethical standards.
Of particular concern is the finding that nearly 70% of respondents believe that the authorities and state institutions obstruct investigative journalism, especially in a society where the media are exposed to various forms of pressure. This belief that the institutional framework fails to provide adequate protection and support for investigative journalists further highlights the limitations in the area of media freedom.
Despite these criticisms, 62.9% still believe that the media to a certain extent protect democracy, while approximately 40% doubts or have no clear opinion, indicating a divided attitude towards the media’s democratic legitimacy. A similar pattern is evident regarding to adherence to ethical code and the media’s role as watchdogs over political and economic power, where citizens recognise individual examples of critical reporting, but not a consistent, systemic and strong media role.
Long-term trust in the media remains low. Only 30.2% of respondents state that they trust the media as much as they did five years ago, while 27.1% state that they have never trusted them. These data confirm deeply rooted scepticism, while a smaller number of respondents point to the existence of limited positive shifts in trust.
In conclusion, the findings warn of a structural crisis of trust in the media, marked by criticism of political and economic influences, but also by an awareness of the irreplaceable democratic and social function of the media in Montenegro.
CCE emphasises the importance of creating a supportive environment in which the media can operate independently, free from pressure, with continuous professional training and support, in order to be able to fulfil their role in a democratic society.
Nikola Obradović, Programme Associate