Decision about the complaint of Tea Radulovic vs Antena M 25 11 2025

The Commission states that the publication of the name and a photo of the minor in this specific case is not professionally unacceptable, and that there is no basis for finding a violation of the Code of Journalists of Montenegro. This assessment stems from the undeniable facts that the minor has publicly presented his identity in recent days through guest appearances, interviews, video materials and appearances in the most important national media, which has already made his name and image well-known and publicly exposed.

The commission additionally emphasizes that the analytical column in question does not treat the minor as an individual, but it deals with a social phenomenon that arose from his public appearances and reflects systemic failures of institutions and the media in verifying and presenting information. In this context, the publication of name, surname and photo does not represent a violation of the rights of minors or an element of stigmatization.

According to the Code of Ethics of Journalists of Montenegro, journalists are obliged to protect the integrity of minors, with special reference to the rights and protection of children, including the prohibition of publishing their identities in situations where this could threaten their rights or cause harm. However, exposing the identity of a minor is allowed in cases where he has publicly exposed himself and when it is justified for objective reporting on relevant social phenomena, while respecting the dignity and rights of that person. In this case, those conditions were clearly met, which confirms that there was no violation of professional and ethical norms defined by the Code of Ethics of Journalists of Montenegro. This attitude contributes to a harmonized attitude towards the protection of the rights of minors and the freedom of media reporting on important social issues, in accordance with the highest professional standards.

Explanation

Reader Tea Radulović filed a complaint on October 4, 2025, stating that the column in question violated the rights of a minor, because the boy's name and photo were published. She emphasizes that, although the minor was previously presented positively in the media, after the inaccuracy of his allegations was determined, a text was published that talks about his actions, with his identity again stated.

The complaintee believes that this could have led to stigmatization, and asks whether the media was obliged to protect the identity of the minor and avoid publishing his name and picture.

The appeal requests consideration of a possible violation of the Law on Media and child protection standards, and an appeal to recommend additional vigilance to the media.

In the statement signed by the editor-in-chief, Darko Šuković, it is stated that: the topic of the column is not a juvenile, but a phenomenon, that is, the way in which the institutions, the public, the media and the academic community accepted and uncritically treated his claims.

"If respected reader Tea had read the text carefully, she would have understood that the topic is not an (older) minor, but a phenomenon that he produced in society, especially in the academic and media community. The text is an expert analysis, to put it mildly, of the system of academic control of plagiarized content. Even more, the text appropriately, with an exceptional refinement for the personality of a young man, indicated that society would have to deal with and support people who show these psycho-social characteristics," was writen in the statement signed by Darko Šuković.

He states that the column was actually about the most well-intentioned content published in any newspaper about this case.

"And, after all the texts and appearances of the high school student from Pljevlja on the most watched electronic media, hiding his identity would be completely pointless," Šuković wrote.

The Commission notes that days and weeks before the publication of the column, the minor was a guest on the media with national coverage, gave video interviews, participated in shows, publicly presented his alleged works and achievements and became a recognizable face in the public. Thus, his identity became established in the media and publicly, so the Commission concludes that the publication of his name and photo in an analytical text dealing with a social phenomenon could not represent a violation of privacy or a threat to identity.

The Commission has thoroughly considered the content of the column and concludes that it does not deal with the minor as the bearer of guilt, does not use offensive or labeling expressions, does not present intimate or sensitive information, does not call for condemnation or name-calling of the minor.

The column is a critical analysis of institutional failures, including the actions of the Ministry of Education, schools and teachers, the media that did not check the information, and the academic structures that reacted without checking. Therefore, the minor is not an object of condemnation, but an occasion for discussion about a wider social phenomenon.

The Commission reminds that the protection of minors is a mandatory standard, but also that the identity does not have to be hidden in situations where the child has already come forward publicly, he personally talked publicly about his achievements, and he has given consent through parents/guardians and has already become a media well known person.

In this case, the Commission concludes that: there was no stigmatization or violation of the minor's dignity, as well as no publication of new, sensitive or harmful data. The disclosure of the identity was justified by the context and his previous public appearances.

Although no violation of the Code of Ethics was found, the Commission considers it important that the media always act with special caution when reporting on minors. The Commission indicates that information concerning children must be checked multiple times, regardless of the child's previous public status. The Commission points out that institutions, especially the Ministry of Education, must also approach public statements responsibly and check the information they present. All actors who communicate with minors have an increased obligation to protect their interests.

The Commission especially calls on the media to be careful with the so-called "prodigy" stories, which often gain publicity quickly, but require caution, verification and professional distance.

Comission for Monitoring and Complaints

Aneta Spaić
Sonja Drobac
Danilo Burzan
Branko Vojičić
Ranko Vujović