Montenegro: CFWIJ Condemns The Physical Attack On Jelena Jovanović

Location: Montenegro, Niksic
Date: March 20, 2021

Journalist Jelena Jovanović was injured while covering a political gathering. She was attacked by a man at the location. The incident was broadcasted live on national television. The injury was minor and Jelena is recovering well.

Journalist Jelena Jovanović was physically attacked on March 14, 2021, outside a political party headquarter in Niksic. She was there on behalf of the national daily newspaper, Vijesti covering the developments in the local election outside the office of the 'For the Future of Niksic' coalition. Her injury resulted from the scuffle that took place in the area. A man who was growing increasingly aggressive at the site was asked to leave by the police. In retaliation, he broke off the windshield wiper of the nearest car and hurled it at the crowd gathered on the location. The wiper hit Jelena under the eye, and while the injury was not serious, the incident, which was broadcasted live on Vijesti Television, brought into sharp focus the political temperament and the risks journalists run while on their job.

The Media Union of Montenegro issued a statement regarding the matter, in which they condemned the attack and demanded that concerned authorities look into the physical attack. "We believe that this should stop immediately, and we certainly call on all colleagues to be extremely careful when reporting from all political gatherings, because it is obvious that they can easily, whether guilty or not, be victims of irresponsible behaviour. In the case of journalist Jovanović, we expect a reaction from the competent institutions,” the statement said.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the attack on Jelena Jovanović. The incident only brings attention to how vulnerable journalists - especially women journalists - during a tense political climate. We extend our support to all the women journalists on the field bravely doing their jobs, and urge that Montenegrin authorities ensure a safer climate for their media persons.

The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.

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