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January 23, 2026 – Montenegro –
Montenegro, a candidate for membership in the European Union, marked Journalists’ Day on January 23, 2026, with media unions and press freedom advocates warning that journalists in the country continue to face escalating threats, harassment, and unresolved attacks, even as the government underscores its aspirations for deeper European integration. The commemoration drew attention to both symbolic achievements and persistent challenges confronting media professionals in the Balkan nation.
At the event, representatives of Montenegrin journalist associations highlighted a string of security concerns and threats against reporters and media workers — including physical attacks, online intimidation, and legal harassment — that have taken place in recent years. Many of these incidents remain unresolved, creating a climate of uncertainty and self-censorship among local journalists. The media unions called for stronger legal protections and more effective enforcement to ensure journalists can work freely and safely without fear of retaliation.
Speakers also noted that Montenegro’s EU accession process creates both opportunities and pressures for improving media freedom. The European Union places a high priority on press freedom, transparency, and the rule of law as core criteria in accession negotiations, and Montenegrin authorities have framed their commitment to these standards as part of their broader European-oriented reforms. However, persistent threats to journalists’ safety and inadequate investigations into past attacks remain points of concern for civil society and international partners.
Journalists and advocates pointed out specific cases from the country’s recent media freedom record that illustrate the challenges at hand. For example, investigative reporter Olivera Lakić was shot and seriously injured outside her home in 2018 after reporting on corruption, and her case remains emblematic of the long-standing issues with impunity and insufficient protection for journalists in Montenegro. Additionally, the long-running detention and prosecution of investigative journalist Jovo Martinović on controversial drug-related charges has drawn criticism from international rights groups, which argue that the charges and extended pre-trial detention reflect broader pressures exerted on critical media figures.
Observers at the Journalists’ Day events stressed that threats against the media are not only physical but also include online harassment and digital abuse, trends that echo broader regional patterns of intimidation documented by media watchdogs. These forms of pressure can undermine the independence and effectiveness of reporting — particularly on sensitive issues such as corruption, organised crime, and political accountability.
As Montenegro advances in its EU accession efforts, press freedom advocates are urging authorities to strengthen institutional protections, ensure prompt and impartial investigations into threats and attacks, and implement legal reforms that align with European standards. They argue that such steps are essential not only for meeting accession benchmarks but also for securing a resilient, independent media ecosystem within the country.
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