During the upcoming meeting, the councilors of the Municipal Assembly (MA) of Kolašin will deliberate on an initiative to stream their sessions live via the official YouTube channel of the Municipality.

This initiative was endorsed by the Assembly collegium in preparation for the session set for May 20th.

The opposition group “We Build Kolašin Together,” which has proposed this idea multiple times, has committed to voting in favor of the initiative.

Balša Cvetković, a councilor of the Together We Build Kolašin Movement, emphasized that broadcasting sessions would promote transparency within the local legislative body, as citizens have a right to be informed about their elected officials’ actions.

“The public airing of sessions provides direct access to discussions and decision-making processes, thus fostering trust in the Assembly’s operations. Furthermore, it enhances citizen engagement in governance. Online broadcasting ensures that a broader audience, including those unable to attend in person, can stay informed about issues of public concern and follow their councilors’ activities,” stated Cvetković.

He further explained that the YouTube platform not only allows for live broadcasts but also archives the sessions, enabling citizens to view past meetings at their convenience. He noted that local media’s operational constraints often hinder comprehensive and continuous coverage of all parliamentary discussions.

“Utilizing the YouTube platform for public broadcasts ensures equal access for interested media and fosters clearer communication with the public. Many municipalities in Montenegro and the region have already adopted this approach as a means of modernization and aligning with contemporary governance standards. It’s worth mentioning that the technical requirements for such broadcasts are neither financially nor organizationally demanding; only basic equipment like a camera, computer, and internet connection are necessary, while the YouTube platform itself is free to use,” explained Cvetković.

He asserted that the initiative, which has received backing from the Assembly collegium, represents a significant advancement toward enhancing democratic processes at the local level and creates further opportunities for accountable and inclusive local governance.

Two years prior, opposition councilors in Kolašin made several attempts to facilitate live broadcasting of municipal council sessions, and later sought to independently arrange the streaming of Assembly sessions, a request that was denied.

Kolašin lacks electronic local media, and only a few accredited journalists report on council sessions based on the agenda.

However, the opposition argues that this insufficiently allows for comprehensive oversight of how councilors represent their constituents, undermining the requisite transparency.

The practice of live broadcasting was briefly in place towards the end of the previous government’s term (DPS, Social Democrats, and GB), after Marta Šćepanović assumed the Mayor’s role and Milan Đukić led the Kolašin Municipal Assembly.

In the summer of 2022, transmission equipment was acquired “to enhance transparency and openness in local parliamentary operations.”

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