Media Council for Self-Regulation Council (MSS) strongly condemns the attack on colleagues from Vijesti and Pobjeda, who were physically assaulted, harassed, detained, and whose work equipment was seized and partially destroyed while they were professionally carrying out their task – reporting to the public on events in Gornje Zaostro, where Chetnik apologists, led by Metropolitan Joanikije, glorified a man under whose command innocent people were killed 80 years ago.

Several media outlets in Montenegro this morning published a video of an attempted murder in Budva, thereby grossly violating the Montenegrin Journalists’ Code of ethics and demonstrating irresponsibility towards the public and the profession.

The footage of yesterday’s murder in Podgorica, published in full by the IN4S portal, along with screenshots showing the perpetrator holding a firearm and aiming at the victim, represents the crudest form of sensationalist journalism.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is capable of taking over routine tasks in journalism, but it must not replace the essential role of journalists. While it can be a useful support tool, human oversight and editorial control are always necessary.

The Media Council for Self-Regulation (MSS) signed the "Agreement on the allocation of funds to cover operational costs necessary for the activity of the self-regulatory body" with the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services (AMU). These are funds allocated through the Fund for Encouraging Pluralism and Diversity of the Media, intended for AVM service providers - commercial and non-profit broadcasters, and for self-regulation of the media for the year 2024. The funds that are provided through the Fund for self-regulation and allocated to the NGO Media Council for Self-Regulation, in the name of a grant to cover operational costs, amount to EUR 126,157.65.

A two-day workshop on the amendments to the current Journalists of Montenegro Code of Ethics was held in Podgorica on 26 and 27 June, with the support of the Council of Europe, OSCE, and UNESCO. The workshop was led by Juan Barata, a media expert of UNESCO.