Physical and verbal attacks against journalists are continuing unabated in Montenegro. The latest victim was Marko Milacic, a correspondent for the Belgrade-based daily Press in Montenegro. Milacic entered a restaurant and was told by a local businessman that he should not mention him in the media. The businessman’s bodyguard allegedly pushed Milacic and injured his hand.
The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), condemns all forms of attacks against journalists and reminds the Montenegrin authorities that previous attacks all remain unresolved.
“I would like to remind the Montenegrin authorities that on Mar. 7, 2012 investigative reporter Olivera Lakic was beaten in front of her house,” SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said.
“In February 2011, she reported on the illegal labelling of tobacco products. Both she and her family received threats. In July and August 2011, four clearly-marked cars belonging to Vijesti were set ablaze, in three separate attacks. The perpetrators have not been found. These are only the latest incidents. I call on the authorities to bring to justice the perpetrators of this attack, and all of the others that have targeted journalists.”
The outlook, though, is bleak: top politician Milo Djukanovic, Montenegro’s former president and prime minister, and currently the head of the governing party, has said that elements of the opposition and some media owners should go to prison. Djukanovic attacked NGO and media representatives in Tivat, in April 2012, during a campaign for local elections.