Disinformation, conspiracy theories, misogyny, expressed bias, and direct attacks on organizers and participants are just a few tactics employed by certain media outlets to protect authorities in Montenegro and Serbia from student protests, as highlighted by Darvin Murić, editor-in-chief of the Raskrinkavanje.me portal.

“The protests in Serbia and here have significant differences. In Serbia, students are blocking universities and organizing large-scale protests, closing streets in various cities. The protests in Montenegro are connected by two main factors – the student movement and the cause, which, at its core, stems from the suffering of citizens. However, the actions of the portal from Montenegro, which we found to be disseminating disinformation regarding the protests, are remarkably similar, if not identical, in relation to both movements,” Murić stated.

He added that the narratives pushed by these portals are rather familiar – “the protests are claimed to be organized by the former government and criminal elements, while asserting that citizen response is minimal, even going as far as to suggest that everything is orchestrated from outside by ‘powerful villains’.”

“It’s worth mentioning that after the students’ initial reaction, members of the Democratic Montenegro party quickly issued statements, attempting to deflect the demand for resignations within the security sector. They allege that the protests, stemming from the suffering of 13 innocent citizens, were orchestrated by Milo Đukanović and criminal clans. PES deputy Jelena Nedović joined in, claiming that the protests are being manipulated by former police chief Zoran Lazović from behind bars. However, she did not clarify how a prisoner at UIKS, who falls under the Ministry of Justice—governed by the same authorities she represents—could coordinate anything from a detention center. If he is indeed organizing from prison, it reveals significant oversight on the part of the authorities who should have tighter control over someone suspected of serious offenses,” Murić remarked.

He emphasized that since narratives generally flow from top to bottom, the media acts as a crucial layer defending the government against protests.

“Portals like Borba eagerly awaited to see certain names from a dismal past supporting the students, claiming this as evidence substantiating the theories proposed by government representatives. The founders of these portals attempted to involve inexperienced young individuals in debate shows, juxtaposing them with politicians, Security Committee members, and other public figures, and after the group ‘Kamo sjutra’ declined the opportunity to appear on TV E, claims emerged that the students only appear on DPS-affiliated stations. They also asserted that TV Prva met virtually all their expectations, yet the fact that students showcased their presence on various other stations and podcasts, which could not be labeled as collaborators of the former regime, went unmentioned,” he continued.

Murić highlighted that the students have clearly laid out their demands and have refused to negotiate them with Prime Minister Milojko Spajić.

“This is a legitimate tactical choice unless you are a portal whose only function is to defend the government. In that case, you would declare that the students have ‘lost their way’ for asking Spajić to organize a press conference to address their demands. Borba even tries to link the protests with events in Parliament, suggesting it is ‘symptomatic that the so-called student and civic protests in Montenegro coincide with the opposition’s parliamentary boycott.’ According to Borba, the opposition aims to challenge the state on two fronts—through protests on the streets and boycotts within governmental institutions, thereby obstructing economic reforms and impeding the functions of the security sector, judiciary, and prosecution. Thus, according to Borba, students are allegedly seeking to disrupt the economy and various state functions,” Murić explained.

He further noted that the portals are also amplifying Facebook posts falsely asserting that Darko Ivanović has taken over coordination of the student actions without any evidence.

“The newly awarded portal Alo Online engages in misogynistic commentary regarding Croatian singer Severina’s response to the protests and creatively references her well-known video. They responded to the support from Serbian university professors, particularly Dinko Gruhonjić, with a string of insults and conspiracy theories, alleging he orchestrates colored revolutions in the region,” Murić added.

They also shield us from students in Serbia

Murić observes that the Alo Online portal has shown more effort in defending the government in Serbia than the actions of the heads of the security sector in Montenegro.

“Borba takes this discussion to a regional level—defending both Montenegro and Serbia against alleged plots involving figures like Soros, suggesting that his ‘bloody hand’ symbolizes his intent to overthrow these governments, all while overlooking the deaths of 28 citizens across both nations and the true symbolism of the government’s bloody hand. In a piece titled ‘Borba publishes a long list — Dragan Đilas, Marinika Tepić, Milo Đukanović, the DPS parliamentary group, and various ‘lazović and katniće who dragged free citizens through the streets,’ other media and journalists who criticize Vučić are targeted, with accusations levied against foreign intelligence services alongside secret plots. The narrative further includes allegations of Croats being arrested, capped off by a priest who likens Montenegrin students to a frog witnessing a horse being shoed in Serbia. Conversely, this priest, in his IN4S column, takes a starkly different stance, perceiving protests in both Montenegro and Serbia as an assault on Serbs, the Orthodox Church, and Russian interests,” Murić elaborates.

Murić concludes by stating that these two regime-aligned portals are actively working to undermine the protests through disinformation narratives, seeking to depict them as anything but what they genuinely represent—a rising demand for accountability from citizens facing adversity.

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