URGENT UPDATE: Montenegro has entered a zone of serious risk for journalists, as new reports confirm a staggering 300% increase in media freedom violations in 2025 compared to the previous year. The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) monitoring system has recorded 20 incidents affecting 32 journalists and media entities throughout the country.
The alarming rise in threats, including death threats, physical violence, online intimidation, and long-term discreditation campaigns, highlights a troubling trend for press freedom in Montenegro. This year alone, the MFRR documented 17 verbal attacks, three cases of interference with journalistic work, and one legal incident, alongside a documented physical attack and property damage.
Key cases illustrate the severity of the situation. Itana Kaluđerović, a journalist for Televizija E, received a chilling message on Facebook warning her to “watch out for the bullet.” Similarly, Danica Nikolić, editor of the M portal, faced sniper threats. Investigative journalist Jelena Jovanović has been subjected to renewed death threats relating to her corruption and organized crime reporting, including gruesome messages referencing decapitation.
The report underscores that journalists covering crime, corruption, and abuse of power are often the primary targets of such attacks. In August, photo-reporters Boris Pejović and Stevo Vasiljević were assaulted while reporting on illegal monument removals associated with a war criminal, facing insults and physical violence from a group of individuals.
Moreover, the report identifies five cases of discreditation aimed at three journalists and two media outlets. Notably, journalist Dragana Šćepanović has endured defamatory attacks from the Aktuelno portal, leading to a court ruling in March 2025 that confirmed the portal’s actions undermined her personal and professional credibility.
The MFRR report also notes three verbal attacks involving political figures. Politicians from the Democratic Party of Montenegro publicly accused several media outlets of being “corrupt servants and protectors of the mafia,” a rhetoric that contributes to the delegitimization of the media.
Concerns over press freedom continue to rise, with the SafeJournalists network reporting 28 incidents of attacks, threats, and pressures on journalists in Montenegro this year—the highest number recorded. Of these, at least nine involved explicit or implicit threats to life and safety.
As the European Commission highlights in its latest report, while the legal framework for protecting media freedom aligns with European standards, practical enforcement lags significantly, particularly regarding the effectiveness of investigations into attacks on journalists.
The MFRR emphasizes the urgent need for Montenegro to ensure swift, thorough, and independent investigations into all threats, violence, and intimidation against journalists, along with a consistent prosecution of offenders. The data from MFRR, SafeJournalists, and the European Commission align in a critical conclusion: the number of attacks and pressures on journalists is rising, while institutional responses fail to match the seriousness of the issue.
As Montenegro grapples with these escalating threats, the safety and freedom of journalists remain in jeopardy, raising serious concerns for the future of press freedom in the region. This situation demands immediate attention and action from both national and international bodies to protect the vital role of journalism in democracy.
