
Media professionalization program in Montenegro presented
At the conference in the EU Info Center held on April 19, 2017. The EU Ambassador to Montenegro, Aivo Orav, reminded of the importance the European Union attaches to freedom of media and expression, emphasizing that it is the basic principle of any free society, but also a key indicator of the country’s readiness to become part of the European Union.
According to him, all media in Montenegro should be in a position to report freely and to choose their own editorial policy. He also said that he hoped that the Media Professionalization Program in Montenegro would help improve the conditions for quality journalism.
The beneficiaries of the project are Radio Television of Montenegro (RTCG) in cooperation with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), News Television in cooperation with the Network for Affirmation of the Non-Governmental Sector (MANS), Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM) in cooperation with TV Prva and Centar for Investigative Reporting in Montenegro (CIN-CG) in co-operation with the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN).
The project manager of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM), Marija Vuksanović, explained that CEDEM is jointly implementing the project with TV Prva “Strengthening the role of the media in improving criminal justice in Montenegro”.
“Our project has a thematic specificity, because we will deal with criminal justice and organized crime and corruption, and we will try to bring this area closer to the citizens,” Vuksanović explained.
She stated that in the next 18 months, CEDEM and TV Prva will try to build the capacities of primarily local media representatives by applying standards and ethical guidelines related to reporting in criminal justice.
“At the same time, we will try to inform citizens what to expect from a responsible and professional journalist,” said Vuksanovic, adding that the project aims to promote cooperation between NGOs and the media and involve citizens in reporting on criminal justice.
She added that the project will be realized by broadcasting five documentaries, which will be shown from September this year and which will contribute to greater visibility and understanding of the topic.