Representatives of the following non-governmental organizations – Media Centre, Montenegro Media Institute (MMI), Centre for Civic Education (CCE), Centre for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN-CG), Human Rights Action (HRA), NGO 35mm, Democratic Centre Bijelo Polje, NOVA – Centre for Feminist Culture, Centre for Development of Non-Governmental Organizations (CRNVO), Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM), Women’s Rights Centre, NGO Đakomo Adriatic, NGO Centre North, Association of Youth with Disabilities of Montenegro (UMHCG), SOS Hotline for Women and Children Victims of Violence Nikšić, Trade Union of Media of Montenegro, NGO Prima, and NGO Juventas – today submitted a request to the Head of the Delegation of the European Union, Johann Sattler, seeking support for the implementation of the law and access to information in the process of appointing members of the RTCG Council.

In the letter addressed to Ambassador Sattler, the non-governmental organizations recall that the process of appointing members of the RTCG Council has been heavily politicized and conducted contrary to the Law on RTCG, as well as the standards prescribed by the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which particularly insists on the independence of public service broadcasters.

In recent days, we have uncovered irregularities in the documentation of certain candidates for membership in the RTCG Council and subsequently filed criminal complaints against those responsible for deliberate omissions.

On 18 May, the Media Centre submitted a formal request to the Parliament for access to information, namely the documentation of all candidates for membership in the RTCG Council. In addition, on 4 June, the Montenegro Media Institute submitted a request to the Parliament for access to information, namely the documentation of all candidates for membership in the RTCG Council. All legal deadlines (15 days from the submission of the request) have long since expired.

The NGOs asked Ambassador Sattler to use his authority to ensure the implementation of the Law on Free Access to Information, as well as the transparency of the process of appointing members of the RTCG Council.

The Parliament of Montenegro and its Speaker, Andrija Mandić, have shown no willingness whatsoever to make the candidates’ documentation available to interested stakeholders, in accordance with their legal obligations, which confirms our belief that the process of appointing members of the RTCG Council is politically driven.

The non-governmental organizations called on Ambassador Sattler to, through direct institutional communication, ensure the implementation of the law and the transparency of the process of appointing members of the RTCG Council.

Media Centre
Montenegro Media Institute (MMI)
Centre for Civic Education (CCE)
Centre for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN-CG)
Human Rights Action (HRA)
NGO 35mm
Democratic Centre Bijelo Polje
NOVA – Centre for Feminist Culture
Centre for Development of Non-Governmental Organizations (CRNVO)
Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM)
Women’s Rights Centre
NGO Đakomo Adriatic
NGO Centre North
Association of Youth with Disabilities of Montenegro (UMHCG)
SOS Hotline for Women and Children Victims of Violence Nikšić
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro
NGO Prima
NGO Juventas