Montenegro adopts first Media Strategy for 2023-2027 to enhance the environment for free and professional journalism

The Montenegrin Cabinet, upon the recommendation of the Ministry of Culture and Media, has adopted the Media Strategy for 2023-2027, along with the Action Plan for the period 2023-2024. The budget for implementing this strategy is estimated at €24,230,000, aiming to foster an environment that supports free and professional journalism.

Minister of Culture and Media, Maša Vlaović, underscored the Ministry's full commitment to sustaining and preserving media and the undeniable public interest in ensuring that every citizen has timely, accurate, and comprehensive information. She also highlighted the recent Resolution on Montenegro adopted by the European Parliament, recognizing the Ministry's efforts in developing the Media Strategy for 2023-2027 and a set of new media laws.

The Minister emphasized the significance of freedom of expression and independent media as fundamental values of the European Union and critical elements of Montenegro's European integration process. She noted the importance of nurturing professional, responsible, transparent, and financially sustainable media as the cornerstone of any democratic society.

Neđeljko Rudović, the General Director of the Media Directorate in the Ministry of Culture and Media, explained that the Media Strategy for 2023-2027, along with the accompanying Action Plan for 2023-2024, consists of a total of 104 measures that strongly promote the principle of freedom of expression and ensure an environment for professional and free journalism, a fundamental pillar of every society upholding European democratic values.

The strategy sets forth four strategic and 15 operational goals. These encompass improving the quality of citizens' information and enhancing media literacy, empowering editorial and financial independence, ethics, and professionalism of public broadcasters, creating conditions for fair market operation for media, improving the framework for the work and position of media employees.

The Action Plan for 2023-2024 includes a total of 104 activities to achieve these operational goals. The Ministry of Culture and Media will lead 68 of these activities, while the remaining entities will oversee 36. Notable activities include the establishment of specialized teams and contact persons in the Police Administration and the State Prosecutor's Office to investigate and handle cases of attacks on journalists, forming a Network to combat hate speech, online harassment, and disinformation, as well as the creation of a National Council for Media Literacy to systematically plan and monitor activities related to enhancing media literacy.

The strategy also includes the introduction of a mandatory elective subject on media literacy in all primary and secondary schools, support to increase the number of media content funded from the Fund for Promoting Media Plurality and Diversity, and the preparation of a proposal for amendments to the Criminal Code to define hate speech as a criminal offense.

The strategy acknowledges the need to secure stable funding for the National Public Broadcaster Radio and Television of Montenegro (RTCG), and local public broadcasters, as well as the improvement of criteria for the selection of RTCG and local public broadcaster councils and leadership. It also highlights the importance of enhancing the independence of regulators, promoting self-regulation, and advancing the essential role of professional and responsible journalism, providing timely, accurate, and relevant information.