The Council of the Agency for Audio-Visual Media Services (SAMU) in Montenegro has decided to initiate proceedings against broadcasters under the jurisdiction of the Serbian Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) due to their exploitation of the tragedy on Cetinje and the inflammatory coverage that fueled national, religious, and inter-ethnic tensions.
The proceedings are being launched for violating Article 7, Paragraph 1 of the European Convention on Transfrontier Television, for broadcasting content that undermines dignity and promotes hate, intolerance, and discrimination based on national identity.
SAMU’s monitoring revealed that between January 2 and 6, 2025, several segments aired on TV Pink’s programs “Novo jutro – Jutro sa dušom” and “Novo vikend jutro – Jutro sa dušom,” as well as TV Happy’s “Dobro jutro Srbijo,” were dedicated to the tragedy that occurred on January 1, 2025, in Cetinje, where 13 people died and three were injured.
The agency’s statement highlighted that the coverage violated professional and ethical journalistic standards, with an inappropriate lack of compassion while speculating on the causes of the tragedy.
Even after previous temporary restrictions on the rebroadcasting of certain content (in 2020 and 2022), broadcasters have continued to violate prescribed standards by airing content that incites hate, intolerance, and discrimination.
The tragic event, in which 13 people died, was allegedly misused as a basis to stir strong negative emotions and foster hostility or discrimination, particularly targeting members of Montenegro’s national identity. The rhetoric used included derogatory, insulting, and disturbing language that fueled division and disrespected the dignity of Montenegrin nationals.
The report specifically condemned the attempt to explain or justify the tragedy using curses or supernatural explanations based on ethnicity or religious affiliation, particularly focusing on the residents of Cetinje. These segments were seen as encouraging hostility, undermining solidarity, and threatening multicultural tolerance and social cohesion.
SAMU also emphasized that such negative stereotyping shapes societal attitudes, spreading prejudice and discrimination. The agency urged REM to take immediate action in response to these violations.
In 2022, TV Pink’s morning program was banned for six months for similar violations, including insensitive reporting on family tragedies without respect for the dignity and privacy of the victims’ families.
The Council stressed that if violations continue, further restrictions could be imposed on these broadcasters within Montenegro. SAMU remains committed to protecting public interest and adhering to both national and international standards, the statement concluded.
