Manipulation by the media, social media profiles, tabloids outside Montenegro in relation to the number of citizens who gathered on Saturday to protest against the Law on Freedom of Religion has reached the culminating point. With the aim of providing evidence to corroborate the alleged 100.000 figure, a photo taken several years ago in Washington has been posted to prove the magnificent number of citizens who were on the streets and even a layman could see that. Why? Who wants to create that false picture?
CdM interlocutors say that the main reason for this is clearly manipulation and deception for the sake of dangerous ideological misconception.
Mr Ljubo Filipović, political analyst, says that there’s a considerable number of people in processions and that’s beyond dispute. But he says figures are exaggerated with the aim of proving that majority of Montenegrin citizens oppose the Law.
Mr filipović adds that is clear that DF, Democrats and Prava Crna Gora and others want to reap some benefits from the energy in processions. However, that’s not going to happen because many people just don’t care about daily politics. Their reasons are intimate, religious. As the time goes on, political agenda will become more evident and people’s energy will start to flag.
“It’s not just fake photos. It’s also about finding the most appropriate corner and other forms of manipulation, changing the contrast, lightness and so on…”, ,Mr Filipović says.
He stressed that it is very simple to get the exact number of people in the processions.
“I also noticed people share photos taken on great world concerts, football stadiums. In 1985, Live Aid at Wembley gathered around 70.000. Google that photo and compare it to photo taken in front of the temple in Podgorica”, Mr Filipović says.
Live Aid, 1985
Mr Nikola Zirojević, SDP spokesman, says this isn’t the first time this subject in Montenegro is manipulated.
He points out a real media war is being waged in Montenegro.
“Only those who base their “professional” activities on deceiving citizens can do such things. By doing that they only harm citizens. We are sure citizens of Montenegro are wise enough to realize that this is just another attempt to destabilize Montenegro”, Mr Zirojević said in his statement.
