The European Commission emphasised that respecting media freedom and ensuring a supportive environment for media pluralism are essential for the rule of law and a fundamental part of Montenegro’s EU accession process. This statement came in response to a letter from the editors of three major Montenegrin print media outlets — Pobjeda, Vijesti, and Dan — expressing concern over the recently adopted Law on Games of Chance, which they claim severely threatens the survival of print journalism in the country.
In her reply, Barbara Jesus Gimeno, head of the EC Unit for Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, reaffirmed that the EU expects Montenegro to align its legal framework with EU law and standards and noted that the media must also uphold high professional and ethical standards. The Commission will continue to closely monitor developments in the media sector.
The Montenegrin media representatives warned that the new law disproportionately impacts print and other private media, already operating in difficult market conditions. They argue that, despite being the most expensive to produce and distribute, print media have been placed at a disadvantage compared to other media types, threatening the closure of entire newsrooms and undermining media pluralism and access to diverse sources of information.
They stressed that print media bear the greatest burden of investigative journalism in Montenegro, producing most in-depth reports and political analysis. Although print circulation is declining, these outlets still play a key role in shaping public opinion, as their content is widely shared across digital platforms.
The editors warned that reduced revenue has already led to lower circulation, content cuts, and potential layoffs, threatening the quality of public discourse. If print media were to disappear, the public would lose access to credible, in-depth information, undermining democratic processes and moving Montenegro further away from EU standards.
In their letter to Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, the editors called on the European Commission to take action using its available instruments to address this situation and send a clear message to Montenegrin authorities that media legislation must not result in the discrimination or closure of media outlets. They argued that such outcomes pose a serious threat to democracy, the rule of law, and Montenegro’s European path.
Earlier in September, the editors had also appealed to the President, Prime Minister, Speaker of Parliament, and Finance Minister, urging them to reconsider the law’s implications for the future of the media sector.
