Today, the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, met with ND Vijesti journalist Jelena Jovanović, who is currently facing threats that are under investigation by law enforcement and the prosecutor’s office.

Milatović emphasized that any form of aggression against the media is intolerable, and he anticipates a swift, thorough, and decisive response from the relevant authorities.

“Jovanović has reported on organized crime, corruption, and security issues for several years, which has necessitated her receiving constant police protection since 2021. The recent threats further illustrate that journalists in our nation continue to operate in a highly disrupted and unsafe atmosphere. In our discussion, I conveyed unwavering institutional support for her work and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to ensuring a safe environment for journalism. It’s important to note that, in 2024 alone, there were 19 reported attacks on journalists in Montenegro,” Milatović stated.

He further asserted that as a nation and a society, we hold the responsibility to create an environment where journalists can operate freely, without fear or coercion.

“Media freedom is not a privilege but the cornerstone of any democratic society,” Milatović asserted.

Jovanović reported receiving a death threat on Saturday from a woman identifying herself as Milica Ćuk. This individual, who claimed to be the sister of Serbian citizen Milovan Ćuk, who was expelled the previous day, called the Vijesti newsroom around 6:20 PM, stating that due to the article, she warned, “if anyone’s head flies, it will be the head of the author of the article.”

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