Montenegro’s Danica Nikolić Faces Ongoing Death Threats, Authorities Urged to Act

September 19, 2025 – Montenegro – 

Danica Nikolić, editor-in-chief of the independent Montenegrin news outlet M Portal, has again received death threats, reigniting concerns about journalist safety and impunity. The latest violent email, sent to her work address on 10 September 2025, warns of physical harm and possible travel to Montenegro by the sender. The same anonymous individual has been targeting her since 2022.

Nikolić believes these threats are directly tied to M Portal’s investigative work, particularly its reporting on corruption and organized crime in Montenegro. While the police reportedly identified the sender and a foreign location connected to these communications, Nikolić says no prosecutions have followed despite her filing a report.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Montenegrin authorities to launch a full investigation, prosecute those responsible, and provide protection measures for Nikolić. CPJ Europe representative Attila Mong described the threats as “increasingly alarming,” and said they must not be ignored.

Nikolić, disheartened by the lack of response, reported that she filed the recent police complaint but stopped filing further ones due to persistent inaction.

Her situation highlights a broader issue in Montenegro—and beyond—of threats against journalists whose work exposes wrongdoing, and the frequent failure of law enforcement to safeguard press freedom. Because threats began years ago, and because the identity of the sender appears knowable yet unprosecuted, there are serious concerns about impunity and whether online harassment may escalate into real violence.

The case of Danica Nikolić is part of a series of ongoing alerts issued by press-freedom organizations, urging protection for journalists, especially those reporting on corruption, crime, and government accountability. Observers say that ensuring justice in such cases is essential not only for the individuals under threat, but for the health of free press more generally.

Reference – 

https://fom.coe.int/en/alerte/detail/107642977;globalSearch=false

https://cpj.org/2025/09/montenegro-journalist-danica-nikolic-receives-new-death-threat/amp/