21. 04. 2005

REACTIONS TO MEDIA ANALYSIS

PODGORICA, April 21, 2005 – Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic said in reaction to the analysis of Montenegrin media that he would accept the explanation given by Foreign Affairs Minister Vlahovic that the document was prepared by the third party. Prime Minister Djukanovic described enormous reactions to the document as a result of currently sensitive phase of democratic reforms in Montenegro. Djukanovic stressed that the Government was exercising transparent relations with all media and acting in favor of complete media freedoms. The Montenegrin Government’s PR Bureau stated that the analysis of Montenegrin media was received through common procedure and, after examination, filed as a non-valuable document. The Government’s PR Bureau said that a number of documents had been received and treated each day under equal circumstances. The statement by the Bureau stressed that no attempts to influence media were initiated from the cabinet and reminded that the international organizations had assessed Montenegro as the leader of media reforms in the region. The Council of Radio and Television Montenegro (RTCG) stated that the attempts to restrict media freedoms would not change public broadcaster’s course set in line with the media laws. The RTCG Council stated that, according to the public polls, the public broadcaster was seen by audience as the most trusted source. Group for Changes NGO official Svetozar Jovicevic said that, in his opinion, the media affair would impact Montenegro’s international position. According to Jovicevic, the affair would influence both official and unofficial meetings between the government and international community.