REACH AND DISTRIBUTION IN MONTENEGRO MEDIA

Reach And Distribution In Montenegro Media

Reach and Distribution in Montenegro Media

Media in Montenegro continue to operate in a political environment dominated by the question of independence. (Ugur, 2009, p. 27) Since 1992, Montenegro has been part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia with Serbia. After Milo Djukanovic won the elections in 1997, relations between the two republics deteriorated and Montenegro took a separatist line. Under Western pressure, however, Montenegro postponed the goal of immediate independence and in March 2002, signed the European Union-brokered Belgrade Agreement, which defines the terms of a new, looser union with Serbia. As a result of disputes and rivalry, the Montenegrin and Serbian parliaments are still drafting the constitutional charter at year's end. (Fleming, 2002, p 7) During this politicized period, implementation of much-needed social, legal, and economic reforms was not realized.

The graph below summarizes how the Media Sustainability Index (MSI) 2002 panel rated the five objectives used to measure media development and systems. While the number of media outlets in Montenegro grew, providing citizens multiple news sources, the overall quality of these sources and the degree of professional journalism displayed remain at low levels. The panellists agree that this growth trend is not sustainable and that increased competition to capture a share in a small market will have a positive impact on the quality over time. (Longley, 2009, p.78)The passage of progressive media laws in September and the drafting process of additional legislation represent important steps forward in the transformation of state-run media into public enterprises and the development of competition, which should further promote free speech and access to public information. The Montenegro Media Institute, for example, is leading the effort to educate journalists. (Morrison, 2009, p48)

The Media Law stipulates general principles and provisions on which the media system ...