The EU-Montenegro Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) is still concerned about the state of freedom of expression and the environment in which Montenegrin media operate, especially when it comes to the investigations of attacks against journalists and political interference and pressure on the Public Broadcaster Service Radio Television of Montenegro (RTCG).

The critically oriented NGOs are not welcomed on RTCG and that their work is mainly portrayed through a negative lens, it was concluded at the thirteenth meeting of JCC.

„The JCC once again urges the Montenegrin authorities to effectively investigate both old and recent cases of violence against journalists as well as to identify and prosecute the perpetrators and those that are behind the attacks, and to facilitate the work of the ad hoc Commission monitoring cases of violence against the media.
Furthermore, the JCC appeals on Montenegrin authorities to provide equal chances for functioning of all media, regardless of their editorial policy and to implement relevant recommendations of the Joint Program of the Council of Europe and the EU “Reinforcing Judicial Expertise on Freedom of Expression and the Media in South-East Europe (JUFREX),” said the joint statement from the meeting.

The members of JCC once again emphasized the importance of independent NGOs being effectively involved in all aspects of policymaking and in EU accession negotiations and highlighted the role of NGOs when it comes to improving the overall democratic environment in Montenegro.

As specified, the JCC is still concerned about the negative environment in which certain NGOs operate, especially the NGOs who is critically oriented of governmental policies in the area of the rule of law. They mentioned the controversial dismissal of NGO representatives from key institutions and bodies such as the RTCG Council, the Anti-corruption Agency and the Agency for Electronic Media.

The JCC directed the requests to the Montenegrin authorities to revise the legal framework in order to enable free access to information, without unnecessary restrictions. The board notes the growing trend of public institutions declaring information as classified as a matter of serious concern.