Montenegro: Police Question Tamara Vučinović After Complaint by School Principal
Women Press Freedom denounces attempt to pressure journalist by involving law enforcement
Location: Montenegro, Tivat
Date: February 22, 2024
Women Press Freedom unequivocally denounces the recent attempt to pressure journalist Tamara Vučinović by involving law enforcement, following her refusal to disclose her source to a school principal in Tivat. The right to protect sources is not only a cornerstone of journalistic work but also a legal protection enshrined in Montenegrin law. This right ensures that journalists can conduct investigative reporting without fear of retribution or coercion. Reporting press workers to law enforcement for refusing to disclose their confidential information is a way to try to pressure journalists. Journalists have an ethical obligation to protect their sources, a right that is enshrined in law in Montenegro. The attempt to breach this confidentiality through legal or other pressures is a direct threat to the freedom of the press and, by extension, to the public's right to know. Women Press Freedom commends the police for not pressuring Vučinović to reveal her sources and urges the prosecutor to dismiss this absurd complaint swiftly.
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On February 22, 2024, journalist Tamara Vučinović was reported to the police by the principal of an educational institution in the city of Tivat. The complaint was filed after Vučinović refused to disclose her source of information for an article about a school's closure due to a strike The principal initially asked Vučinović to identify the person who provided her information, but when she declined, the principal resorted to involving police.
Following the complaint, police questioned Vučinović and asked her to provide a statement. Vučinović stood firm in upholding the tenets of the Media Act and the Code of Ethics, which guarantee the protection of journalistic sources' anonymity. The journalist says the officers were professional and did not compel her to disclose the identity of her source. The prosecutor has yet to decide whether to proceed with the case.
Women Press Freedom commends Tamara Vučinović for her commitment to journalistic integrity by protecting the confidentiality of her sources. Calling the police on a journalist for safeguarding their sources is a method of intimidation. Such actions can jeopardize the public's right to information and promote self-censorship among investigative journalists who fear police investigation. Vučinović has adhered to the code of ethics and broken no laws; with this in mind, the prosecutor must swiftly dismiss this case.
We also call upon Montenegrin authorities and the media to seize this opportunity to educate the public about the fundamental principles of press freedom and the rights and responsibilities it entails. By fostering a culture that respects and upholds these principles, we can safeguard the integrity of journalism and protect democratic values.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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