On September 6, 2021, at King Nikola Square in Cetinje, TV Vijesti journalist Danijela Lasic found herself caught between a police cordon using tear gas and protesters throwing stones and bottles.

The day prior, similar “close encounters” occurred at Belvedere as protests erupted over the enthronement of the Serbian Orthodox Church’s new Metropolitan in Montenegro, Joanikia. Lasica reported from just a few meters away from the blockade and the protesters.

“Behind me were angry protesters, filled with frustration over the events in Cetinje. They felt tired, nervous, betrayed… even upset with my media house. They shouted and cursed, with some literally right behind me. I had to remain calm, focusing on my reporting as part of my job,” the journalist recalls.

She acknowledges that she could have opted for a “safer location” and that many colleagues warned her of the dangers she faced. Regrettably, she didn’t have a gas mask, noting, “the tear gas was unbearable,” recalling another unpleasant experience from a previous protest by the Democratic Front outside the Parliament of Montenegro.

During that protest, police used tear gas against journalists who were clearly marked with “press” insignia, indicating they were members of the media, as affirmed by witnesses.

As in 2021, protesters at Belvedere expressed their discontent with TV Vijesti’s editorial stance. Similarly, in 2015, supporters of the Democratic Front confronted RTCG’s journalist Ivana Šebek, preventing her from completing her coverage and subjecting her to verbal abuse.

Later, while reporting on RTCG’s Dnevnik, Šebek shared her feelings of unsafety during that protest.

Danijela Lasic reflects on her choice to take risks: “These experiences have been somewhat traumatic, yet they represent proud moments in my career… I felt a responsibility to show viewers the reality on the ground. No one from the editorial team urged me to do this; in fact, I was advised to stay safe. It was entirely my decision,” explains the TV Vijesti journalist.

Absence of Risk Assessment

In Montenegro, journalists covering public gatherings and protests often lack risk assessment practices. Media outlets frequently deploy inexperienced journalists to these events, and most do not have emergency intervention protocols to safeguard journalist safety, despite the heightened risks associated with public gatherings.

According to journalist and member of the Commission for Monitoring Investigations into Attacks on Journalists, Predrag Nikolić, this risk assessment practice is largely absent, leaving it to journalists’ instincts to navigate their safety.

“Media outlets should conduct risk assessments when sending teams to high-risk events and develop plans for their coverage. On-site, journalists should receive necessary infrastructure and basic protection, along with psychological and legal support if needed,” Nikolić advises.

He points out that, in Montenegro’s polarized environment, “some media are viewed as part of the ‘enemy side’, adding to the risks during events depending on the organizers and the gathering type.” He reminds us that amendments to Montenegro’s Criminal Code enacted in 2021 enhanced the protection afforded to journalists, including a new offense for obstructing their professional duties. Nikolić stresses that media can adopt protocols and establish better cooperation with law enforcement while educating journalists reporting from protests.

Data from the Media Union of Montenegro reveals that since 2014, there have been 11 recorded attacks on journalists at public gatherings, with the latest occurring in December 2022. Additionally, there have been 24 incidents involving physical force or assaults—showing a troubling upward trend from eight such incidents from 2014 to 2020 to 16 from 2021 up to now.

Three years prior, they published “Guidelines for Risk Assessment for Media Activities: Building a Culture of Safety in Montenegro”.

“This was the first effort to set standards for journalist protection in the field. In February 2023, the national public broadcaster, Radio Television of Montenegro (RTCG), drafted a Risk Assessment Act, although it primarily addresses technical, technological, and security aspects instead of specific journalistic challenges,” notes Marijana Camović Veličković from SMCG.

Protection of Young Journalists

A survey conducted last year indicated that 57 percent of journalists were unaware of specific safety guidelines, and 27 percent believed such protocols didn’t exist. Only 16 percent confirmed their employers had such policies, but many couldn’t detail them.

“Only one in five journalists feels that there are clear guidelines for reporting on risky events. Young journalists are particularly vulnerable, with merely 10 percent believing that newcomers are trained about these risks upon entering newsrooms,” SMCG reports.

They emphasize that ensuring journalist safety at public gatherings requires systematic risk assessments for any potentially dangerous reporting. “Journalists in the field need adequate protective gear, and clear instructions should be provided, including recommended movement routes and safe zone mapping,” advises the SMCG activist.

Nikolić also stresses the importance of proper equipment for journalist identification at public gatherings, like wearing vests labeled with “press”.

“Moreover, effective coverage from risky events necessitates various additional equipment: helmets, goggles, gas masks, body cameras, and emergency applications… Beyond visible identification, thorough planning for monitoring events, coordinating teams, and establishing communication with police is critical,” he adds.

He further highlights the need for public education regarding the role of journalists and media in society, citing Croatia as a noteworthy example.

“Two years ago, Croatia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Croatian Journalists’ Association, and the Journalists’ Union signed a Protocol to regulate police and media worker conduct during public gatherings,” Nikolić notes.

EU Standards and the Council of Europe’s Recommendations

The Council of Europe has addressed journalist safety at protests, emphasizing that law enforcement must not impede journalists’ work during demonstrations. Recommendations in this regard include ensuring all police officers involved in crowd control are trained and informed about journalists’ roles at public events.

Furthermore, intentional attempts to seize or damage journalistic equipment or disrupt reporting are criminal offenses, and those responsible will face legal consequences. Also, there should be no special accreditation requirements for protests.

The UK has reached an agreement between various journalist unions and police forces to guide police in allowing media to fulfill their reporting duties while not interfering with their activities. They also emphasize respecting press cards as media identification.

France is implementing training for police officers aimed at promoting mutual understanding between journalists and law enforcement, ensuring the safety of the press during public demonstrations.

Following several incidents involving attacks on journalists at protests, including the deletion of recordings from “Novosti” correspondent Veliša Kadić’s phone and arrests of several journalists (unrelated to protests), the Association of Professional Journalists released brief recommendations for behavior in such situations. Authored by DPNCG lawyer Maja Živković, the document stresses that “journalists should possess clear, valid ID cards identifying them as employees of specific media organizations.”

“Journalists should remain calm and professional when approached by police, continue reporting unobtrusively, and know that police cannot seize equipment, data, or recorded materials,” are among the recommendations.

SMCG suggests that journalists work in pairs for mutual protection and should contact law enforcement beforehand if possible to avoid being mistaken for protest participants and ensure recognition as media personnel.

They further recommend that “when demonstrations escalate, journalists should not position themselves between the police and protesters, as this often becomes a conflict zone.” Preparing for potential conflicts, analyzing the atmosphere, assessing risks, and planning safety responses is crucial.

Need for Media Outlets to Train Journalists

Neđeljko Rudović, Director of the Media Directorate at the Ministry of Culture, stresses the importance of developing clearer, faster emergency protocols for situations endangering journalists’ safety. This includes prompt notifications to police and relevant agencies, as well as partnerships with human rights organizations assisting journalists in crises.

“Unfortunately, risk assessment practices for journalists covering protests aren’t adequately systematic. Risks are often unpredictable, and the Ministry of Culture and Media should collaborate with various institutions to enhance security measures and training,” Rudović advises.

Many countries have established protocols to protect journalists, especially during crises, with specialized units and legal obligations ensuring their safety while reporting.

The discussions and standards from other countries highlight the necessity for newsrooms to educate journalists, equip them adequately, and invest in training for police about the significance of journalistic work.

Excerpted from the website of the Association of Professional Journalists of Montenegro

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