Non-governmental organizations that supported the candidacy of Dragoljub Duško Vuković for member of the Council of the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services welcome the decision of the Parliament of Montenegro to finally implement the Law on Audiovisual Media Services and to appoint the missing Council members from NGOs (media sector), the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts (CANU), and universities.
This decision represents a significant victory for civil society, professional standards, and the independence of regulatory bodies, while also demonstrating that persistence and public pressure can counter political arbitrariness.
We recall that this process could and should have been completed at the beginning of 2025. Instead, the parliamentary majority systematically obstructed the law for almost 15 months, initially attempting not to apply it at all, and later trying to amend media laws to prevent NGOs from selecting their own representatives to the Council, while opening the door for political parties to appoint loyal “NGO” representatives.
Earlier this year, the parliamentary majority annulled the procedure for appointing AVMS Council members initiated by the NGO LGBT Forum Progress. In the repeated procedure, the Administrative Committee again annulled the process, citing fabricated procedural deficiencies in the candidate documentation from NGOs and CANU. On the third attempt, during a plenary session, majority MPs abstained, once again blocking the law’s application.
The intention was clear – candidates with integrity, proposed by relevant civil society organizations and meeting legal requirements, were to be eliminated from the process due to political undesirability, even at the cost of violating the law. At one point, Jelena Nedović, MP of the most numerous ruling party (PES), openly suggested that NGOs should change their candidate.
Media-focused NGOs did not give in to pressure and give up from its candidate, and Dragoljub Duško Vuković was ultimately appointed, thanks to their persistence, gaining the opportunity to contribute to improving the Agency’s work through his knowledge, experience, and integrity.
It is important to emphasize that the law was finally applied solely due to NGO and European Commission pressure. In its latest report on Montenegro, the European Commission clearly indicated the possibility of reopening the temporarily closed Chapter 10 if Council members were not appointed.
The AVMS Council now finally has five members, as legally prescribed, but this does not mark the end of challenges. Implementation of media laws has only just begun, and further appointments of two new AVMS Council members and four members of the RTCG Council are expected soon. We expect that in 2026 – a year in which Montenegro must demonstrate unwavering commitment to European integration – the parliamentary majority will not continue the practice of obstruction and misuse of institutions, as it did in the past.
We remind the MPs of the Parliament of Montenegro that there is no reason to fear NGO representatives with integrity and expertise. Such individuals contribute to professionalizing regulatory bodies and strengthening public trust. Institutions under constant party control can never be professional, independent, or serve the public interest.
This parliamentary decision is a step forward, but also a reminder that basic democratic standards in Montenegro must continue to be defended – consistently, publicly, and in solidarity.
Goran Đurović, Media Center
Olivera Nikolić, Montenegrin Media Institute (MMI)
Daliborka Uljarević, Centre for Civic Education (CCE)
Milka Tadić Mijović, Center for Investigative Journalism Montenegro (CIN-CG)
Mila Radulović, Association of Professional Journalists of Montenegro
Mustafa Canka, NGO “Ul Info”
Zdravko Janjušević, Bijelo Polje Democratic Center
Željko Đukić, NGO Multimedijal Montenegro
Nataša Nelević, NOVA – Center for Feminist Culture
Azra Hrapović, NGO Djakomo Adriatic
Boris Nedović, NVU Center of the North
Radomir Petrić, NVU Sua Sponte Bar