Montenegro's Media Silence: A Worrying Trend

Montenegro: Media Access Concerns Mirror Past Issues Podgorica, Montenegro – June 1, 2025 – Concerns are rising in Montenegro regarding the lack of transparency and communication between government institutions and the media. This issue, highlighted in a recent video, draws parallels to the situation during the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) era. The video features Dževdet Pepić, a citizen activist and journalist, who states, "The silence speaks volumes." Pepić expresses concern over the lack of response to journalistic inquiries and the avoidance of television cameras by various institutions. Draženka Bećirović, spokesperson for the Association of Municipalities of Montenegro, adds another perspective. She notes that the role of a spokesperson is to bridge the gap between institutions and the media. "If that trust isn't there," Bećirović explains, "the media will stop contacting that institution, and the institution suffers." She further highlights the risk of misinformation and manipulation in the absence of open communication. The video serves as a call for greater transparency and accountability from Montenegrin institutions, emphasizing the crucial role of a free and accessible press in a healthy democracy.