This fundamental democratic value – free media and journalists, and the ability to report without threats and obstacles – is seriously disrupted by a series of attacks and the killing of journalists – most of which are not fully processed and dealt with, mainly due to the ineffectiveness and deliberate inertness of the institutions of the state.
The conclusion of the film, which will be premiered on TV „Vijesti” in March, focuses on the fact that „all of this it creates an atmosphere of intimidation and a well-founded public impression of the lack of rule of law and the conspiratorial cooperation of state authorities with the attackers. As a rule, journalists who dared to criticize the government and point to corruption and crime were attacked or in the most drastic case – killed. Investigations were not urgent, effective, professional. Journalists are discouraged, and citizens lose confidence in the ability of the police and prosecutors to find guilty ones and punish them. Investigations must lead to orderers. Any different approach – opens space for new crimes without punishment!”.
After the round table held in November 2017, where the victims of the attacks transferred their experiences to our team, NGO „35mm” in cooperation with experienced journalists began working on this documentary – within the project „Unverified Stories: Journalists at Risk” realized through the program of small grants „Protection of the freedom of the media and freedom of expression in the Western Balkans” implemented by the Croatian Journalists Association as part of the regional project „Regional platform for advocacy of media freedom and security of journalists in the Western Balkans”.
We are aware that the only united public can create pressure on the authorities in order to launch concrete actions, protect journalists and stop the violence against them.
After the March screening of the film, a public debate will be held in April on the topic of protection of the freedom of the media and freedom of expression in Montenegro, accompanied by campaigns on the social as well as traditional media.
“This project is funded by the European Union through the small grants programme “Protecting Media Freedom and Freedom of Expression in the Western Balkans” implemented by the Croatian Journalists’ Association as part of the regional project Western Balkan’s Regional Platform for Advocating Media Freedom and Journalists’ Safety, carried out through partnership of six regional journalists’ associations – Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS), Association of BH Journalists (BHJ), Croatian Journalists’ Association all public communications, the Grantee is obliged to comply with the European Commission’s visibility requirements (CJA), Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK), Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) and the Trade Union of Media of Montenegro (TUMM).”
