Minister Pejović: Enhancement of media sector is important for advancement toward EU

“Montenegro is aware of the existing challenges and it is fully committed to the joint work on the efficient implementation of commitments which our media sector will approximate to the European standards, as well as contribute to meeting benchmarks in Chapter 23 – Judiciary and Fundamental Rights” said the Minister of European Affairs, Aleksandar Andrija Pejović upon opening the introductory meeting of the expert mission on freedom of expression and media.

The Minister expressed expectations that thirty meetings with eighty representatives of Montenegrin institutions would result in composing a solid report as well as a Guide for the regulation of media policy which would be important for the further advancement in Chapter 10 – Information Society and Media and Chapter 23 – Judiciary and Fundamental Rights.

He noted that the Government of Montenegro is dedicated to the work on defining a modern, European media policy and establishing a sustainable self-regulatory system. He also expressed expectation that the experts’ experience would contribute to comprehending the media market, legislative framework, media and public service, support scheme, transparency of media, self-regulation, integrity of journalists and other numerous topics important for this area.

He emphasised that the carrying out of the analysis and drafting of an comprehensive guide would be rather important for further regulation of media policy in Montenegro and expressed his expectations that this would contribute to the fulfilment of remaining obligations in the process of accession to the European Union, particularly when it comes to the field of rule of law and information society.

Head of the EU Delegation to Podgorica Aivo Orav stated that the freedom of press was important for advancement towards the EU membership, but he also indicated that a strong, coherent and efficient self-regulation was the best way to protect freedom of press.

He pointed out that free reporting expressing critical views represented one of the main characteristics of a free and democratic society, but he also pointed to the need for the media to be responsible, as well as for the strengthening of self-regulatory bodies and ensuring of efficient application of the Code of Ethics.

Ambassador Orav highlighted that Montenegro was the first country in the region in which the media sector inquiry was initiated, and stated that our country might once again pose a good example to the other enlargement countries.

After making a presentation about the project, head of the Department for Media and Internet within the Council of Europe Directorate General for Human Rights and Rule of Law Lejla Dervišagić indicated that the freedom of expression was one of the fundamental human rights and that the media had the most important role in that segment. She stated that the experts who were staying in Montenegro were well familiar with the state of play in the country and underlined the importance of participation of all institutions and individuals who would contribute to complete implementation of the analysis, which is a joint endeavour and which is aimed at ensuring good functioning of the media, i.e. of the overall society in the context of the EU accession.

Expert mission on the freedom of expression and media, that will take place in Montenegro in the period 11-14 September, has been organised under the joint project of the European Union and Council of Europe ‘’Reinforcing Judicial Expertise on Freedom of Expression and the Media in South-East Europe’’, under which the analysis of the media sector will be done.

During the mission, experts will meet with representatives of Montenegrin institutions, media, operators, regulators, NGOs and academic community and discuss legal framework of the media policy and its enforcement, copyrights, state aid, mechanisms for development and support to the media, public broadcasting service, journalist integrity, self-regulation and media literacy.

Videos and photographs from the meeting are available at the Government’s server.

MINISTRY OF EUROPEAN AFFAIRS