MEP Thomas Waitz Letter to Commissioner Hahn

On Judiciary and Media Freedom in Montenegro
Brussels, 19.11.18
Dear Commissioner Hahn,

In the light of the 16th EU-Montenegro SAPC, which took place in Strasbourg from 14 - 15 November,
I as member of the European Parliamentary Delegation to Montenegro, hereby express my concerns
regarding media freedom in Montenegro. As Commissioner for regional policy and due to your active
engagement with the government of Montenegro, I want to draw your attention to the lack of media
freedom in Montenegro and the hostile environment for independent media in the country. Especially
due to the vital role of free media in democratic discourse, I call upon you, the Commission and all EU
agencies involved to work with our partners in Montenegro to improve the situation of journalists and
media freedom.

I want to draw your attention to three most urgent matters critical to maintain and improve media
freedom in Montenegro. First, guaranteeing prosecution of crimes against journalists. Second,
addressing government interference in journalistic activity and lastly the need to combat incitement
against journalists.

According to Freedom House as well as media freedom organizations, not a single case of attacks
against journalist and the media have been solved since 2004. Reportedly 76 cases remain unsolved
including attacks with explosive devices against journalists and offices of independent media
organizations. The lack of justice and protection for free and independent media in Montenegro is
cause for great concern and must be addressed with utmost urgency and determination. Therefore I
strongly urge you as Commissioner to work with our partners to ensure a safe environment for media
and democracy to strive in Montenegro.

I welcome the Commission’s statement in its staff working document from April this year addressing
the situation of the public broadcaster RTCG. However, the Commission must insist that all
government institutions in Montenegro regulate their financial support for broadcasters in a
transparent matter in order to curb attempts to influence editorial policy across the full spectrum of
media organizations in Montenegro. This includes legal interventions against contracts between
institutions and certain media to curb state influence on the media market. In order to ensure media
freedom in Montenegro and to support transparency and accountability of public institutions, the
Commission must insist on addressing the structural challenges to media freedom in Montenegro.
Lastly, I want to draw your attention to the repeated incitement of Montenegro’s president, Mr,
Djucanovic. Due to his vicious, derogatory treatment of the media he contributes to the environment
that allows for the attacks and systematic pressure on independent journalism in the country.
Therefore I urge you to take political measures in order to stop this incitement from happening in
order to ensure free media for a functioning democracy in a future part of the European Union.

Yours sincerely,