20. 04. 2005

ANALYSIS OF MONTENEGRIN MEDIA SCENE

PODGORICA, April 20, 2005 – The analysis of Montenegrin media scene, ordered by the Montenegrin Foreign Affairs Ministry, criticized the most of local outlets as insufficiently affirmative towards the independence, it was said at the press conference by the People’s Party (NS) in Podgorica on April 19, 2005. NS President Predrag Popovic told media that the analysis, forwarded to the Parliament and the Government, advocated changes to organizational structure in certain media in order to provide more affirmative approach towards Montenegrin independence. The document criticized the editor of the state broadcaster RTCG news program, describing him as a person willing to oppose the government’s stands on any occasion. In terms of the private media, the analysis targeted news agency MINA, daily Vijesti and regional TV station MBC, assessing their reporting policy as distant towards the Government’s achievements. The other media were either marked as too formal (Sky Sat and NTV Montena) or as having little influence on public opinion (radio stations and daily Republika). The analysis had proposed reshaping of the Government’s Communications Office and private TV IN as well as an effort to improve professionalism in RTCG, even by the means of budget stipulation. It should also secure financial support to private TV and radio stations and provide RTCG with correspondent network in European centers, since the present one mainly consisted of journalists from Belgrade. The Montenegrin Foreign Affairs Ministry official Ivana Pajevic confirmed document’s validity, saying that it was prepared by the independent contractor. Pajevic said that the Ministry would not reveal the identity of author and added that it was usual practice to forward such documents to other state institutions.