Several Russian state media announced their arrival in Montenegro, and broadcast of reportages on our countries that would be aired between June 5th and 7th – which are the days Montenegro will officially become a member of NATO, Dnevne Novine reports.
Social media communication demonstrates that Russian journalists are looking for interlocutors in Montenegro that would agree to be included in the propaganda war. The media would like to find proxies that could say what they wish to hear about Montenegro, without having Moscow officials say these things themselves.
New attempt at compromisation
First such attempt occurred in the end of March and beginning of April when the Russian military media and state channel reported from Montenegro, saying our country was not safe, did not have a rule of law, and was not a safe tourist destination. Apparently, they could not find any Russians who live in Montenegro to speak on the subject, so they used DF activists who were “just passing by”.
Dnevne Novine remind that the reportage showed a destroyed car to demonstrate the dangerous situation in Montenegro, while in reality, the car was used as a movie prop.
The reportage to air during NATO accession would focus on the fact that Montenegro is not a safe country, and would send a message to other NATO members.
Hrgijan: This too shall pass
President of Russian linguist diaspora Aleksandar Hrgijan said for Dnevne Novine that he had heard of the arrival of several Russian media, but that they would find Russians to speak lies about the country whose hospitality they enjoy.
„Montenegro is not a dangerous country, and its people do not hate Russians, so the propaganda messages are set to fail. At the same time the import of wine was forbidden in Russia, we were brought Montenegrin wines in Hotel Splendid to celebrate May 9th. Plantaze demonstrated that they are lead by business logic, not politics”, Hrgijan said.
He said that he believed political affairs will soon be behind us, and the centuries long friendship between two nations will prevail.
Propaganda is one thing, real life another
When the Russian media made the reportage in April, they spoke to him and asked him to give a statement on the life of Russians in Montenegro.
“I told them what I am telling you now – but their reportage being propaganda, they didn’t include my words. We strive to spread the truth about Montenegro to our friends, and we are very active on social networks. We publish beautiful reportages on our Facebook page. Truth cannot be hidden in the age of social media. Our organization aims to foster communication and normal life, and we are not interested in politics”, Hrgijan said.
Hrgijan added that they were pleasantly surprised when president of CTU Zarko Radulovic said that the business and culture people were not interested in dealing with politics, during a meeting of Russian linguist diaspora in March this year.
“We took it as a strong signal that the Russian politics will not influence the relationship of Montenegro towards us and Russian people in general. Despite the propaganda, the human values win, and Russian tourists will visit Montenegrin coast this year as well, perhaps in larger numbers than ever”, Hrgijan said.
