Montenegro decriminalises media defamation, strengthens fight against corruption

The Government of Montenegro adopted Thursday, March 24, 2011, the Bill amending the Criminal Code which decriminalises label and defamation when it comes to the media, and provides more accurate definitions of corruption-related crimes, namely bribe-taking and bribe-giving, as well as illegal influence.

This is the Government’s way of meeting the commitments arising from its Action Plan for the implementation of recommendations laid down in European Commission’s Opinion as regards two key priorities – the fight against organised crime and corruption, and enhancement of media freedom.

The aim of these amendments is to advance the institutional and legal framework for more efficient fight against corruption and to achieve further strengthening of media freedom in line with the European Commission’s recommendations.