Informer TV banned for six months in Montenegro, proceedings initiated against TV Adria and Prva TV over documentary about the referendum
The Agency for Audiovisual Media Services of Montenegro has issued a decision temporarily restricting the rebroadcasting of Informer TV programs on the territory of Montenegro for a period of six months due to the continuous broadcasting of content that, according to the statement, insults the dignity of the Montenegrin people, denies the national identity of Montenegrins, and incites hate speech, discrimination, and national intolerance.
At the same time, the Agency initiated proceedings ex officio against broadcasters registered in Montenegro - TV Adria and Prva TV - for airing the documentary film „Referendum - A Story of Imagined Freedom“.
According to the statement, the controversial documentary contains elements of hate speech, incitement of national intolerance and discrimination, as well as content that insults the dignity of Montenegrins and challenges the legitimacy of the national identity of Montenegrins and the contemporary constitutional order of the state.
The Agency emphasized that the documentary was not an isolated case, but part of a broader body of controversial content aired on Informer TV.
- The Agency Council determined the existence of a continuous editorial pattern through which content and characterizations were disseminated that insult the dignity of the citizens of Montenegro on the basis of their national affiliation and undermine mutual respect among social and national communities - the statement said.
Particular concern was raised, they added, over the systematic denial of Montenegro’s state and national identity, accompanied by editorial practices that could encourage discrimination, social polarization, and intolerance on a national basis.
The Council assessed that such reporting and commentary exceed the limits of permissible political criticism and represent an abuse of the right to freedom of expression.
- The broadcasting of content that encourages intolerance toward Montenegrins, insults the dignity of citizens on the basis of their national affiliation, and challenges the legitimacy of the Montenegrin identity and state institutions represents a serious threat to democratic values, civic harmony, and the principles of mutual respect - the Agency stated.
It was also recalled that in February of this year, the Council had already initiated proceedings against Informer TV for broadcasting content containing elements of hate speech, denial of national identity, and glorification of convicted war criminals.
Since the broadcasting of the disputed content did not cease even after previous warnings, the Agency Council concluded that the conditions had been met for the temporary restriction of the rebroadcasting of Informer TV’s entire program on the territory of Montenegro.
The Agency stated that it will continue to act in the protection of the public interest by applying domestic and international standards in the fields of media and human rights protection.
On May 3, Portal ETV had already reported that the documentary film „Referendum - A Story of Imagined Freedom“ was being prepared for broadcast, warning about content that questions the legitimacy of the 2006 referendum on the restoration of Montenegrin independence.