Government supports media freedom, promotes journalism professionalisation in Montenegro

Podgorica, Montenegro (8 November 2011) – The Government has been undertaking measures to support media freedom and independence and to promote professionalisation of journalism in Montenegro, Prime Minister Igor Lukšić said earlier today at a meeting with the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO).

PM Lukšić noted that Montenegro has amended the Criminal Code so as to exclude defamation and libel as criminal offences for journalists and editors, which as he noted is a democratic measure towards a better protection of the freedom of speech. He also added that the Government has allocated state aid to support all the media outlets to overcome the hardships caused by the global financial crisis, without any desire to interfere in their policy.

Both sides underlined that the media in Montenegro need to become more professional by means of introducing a media self-regulatory body and by means of raising awareness of the important role of media in the modernisation of a society.

The Prime Minister said the Government is willing to support all activities that will bring about a fully independent and objective media community in Montenegro.