Vuković Stays in the Race: We Won’t Let Political Parties Dictate Civil Sector Representation
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Vuković, Photo: Government of Montenegro
The recent parliamentary vote on the appointment of members to the Council of the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services has highlighted the current majority’s approach—systematically undermining European integration while exerting party control over independent institutions, as stated by representatives from 33 NGOs.
They confirmed that Dragoljub Duško Vuković remains a candidate in the latest, fourth public call, asserting that political parties will not dictate who represents the civil sector in essential institutions.
The representatives stated that, instead of adhering to the law and European standards, the parliamentary majority has shown an alarming readiness to dismantle institutional integrity for petty party interests.
“This marks a continuation of obstructions that began in June last year, characterized by two illegally and arbitrarily annulled public calls for Agency Council appointments and the recent consultative hearing of candidates, which does not align with legal procedures,” the statement notes.
“Despite the Administrative Board confirming that both candidates—Dragoljub Duško Vuković from the NGO sector and Niko Martinović from CANU—meet all legal criteria, the parliamentary majority chose not to vote for their final confirmation. This has set the appointment process back to square one for the third time, disregarding clear messages from EU institutions,” they added.
Meanwhile, they highlighted that the Agency is functioning with only three out of five Council members, which “seriously jeopardizes its operations,” especially when making decisions in second-instance procedures requiring the presence and equal voting of all three members.
“The ruling majority, deliberately contravening the law, has left the Agency teetering on the edge of quorum to maintain control, especially during a time when Montenegro is facing significant foreign disinformation campaigns aimed at obstructing its EU path and bolstering its position within NATO.”
They emphasize that an independent regulator cannot be subjected to party maneuvers, especially in such contexts.
They hold the leaders of the parliamentary majority—Milojko Spajić, Andrija Mandić, Milan Knežević, Aleksa Bečić, Ervin Ibrahimović, Nik Đelošaj, and Vladimir Joković—fully accountable for obstructing the implementation of the Law on Audiovisual Media Services and the media regulator’s functionalities.
“The refusal to confirm candidates from the NGO sector and CANU, solely due to their professional independence, directly undermines Montenegro’s credibility in EU negotiations. This raises concerns over the temporary closure of Chapter 10 (Information Society and Media) and the possibility of its reopening. We must also note that the adoption and execution of media laws, particularly the Law on AVM Services, were pivotal conditions for receiving a positive IBAR. By blocking its enforcement, the parliamentary majority is signaling that European rules are only applicable when convenient,” the statement asserts.
They emphasize this issue transcends a single law and represents a “maturity test for decision-makers that they are failing.”
They argue that the objective is to marginalize the independent regulator’s role and exclude civil society from the media system’s democratization.
“We warn the majority leaders that their tactics are neither new nor innovative—these same actions were previously executed by the DPS, whom they claimed to oppose for power misuse. Yet, upon assuming office, their perspective shifted dramatically, and they swiftly adopted the same detrimental practices,” they stated.
They insist that citizens deserve professional institutions rather than party branches that fluctuate according to election cycles, treating professionalism as a threat while viewing party loyalty as the only acceptable qualification.
“Non-governmental organizations announce today that Dragoljub Duško Vuković remains the candidate in the new, fourth public call. We will not allow political parties to dictate who represents the civil sector in essential independent institutions,” the statement concludes, signed by:
- Goran Đurović, Media Center
- Olivera Nikolić, Media Institute of Montenegro (IMCG)
- Daliborka Uljarević, Center for Civic Education (CCE)
- Milka Tadić Mijović, Center for Investigative Reporting (CIN-CG)
- Tea Gorjanc Prelević, Human Rights Action (HRA)
- Mila Radulović, Association of Professional Journalists of Montenegro
- Vuk Maraš, BIRN
- Radomir Krackovic, Media Union of Montenegro
- Aida Perović, NGO Prima
- Mustafa Canka, NVO “Ul Info”
- Zdravko Janjušević, Bijelo Polje Democratic Center
- Željko Đukić, NGO Multimedia Montenegro
- Nataša Nelević, NOVA – Center for Feminist Culture
- Slavica Striković, NGO Women’s Action
- Nevenka Vuksanović, Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM)
- Zlatko Vujović, Center for Monitoring and Research (CeMI)
- Jovan Ulićević, SPEKTRA Association
- Maja Raičević, Center for Women’s Rights
- Fana Delija, Center for Roma Initiatives
- Biljana Zeković, SOS hotline for women and children victims of violence Podgorica
- Hatidže Neljaj, SOS hotline for women and children victims of violence Ulcinj
- Marina Vuksanović, NGO Nada, Herceg Novi
- Aleksandar Jerotic, NGO Pandora
- Nazif Velić, New Horizons
- Duško Marković, Media team
- Musluć Muamera, NGO Đakomo Adriatic
- Boris Nedović, NGO Center of the North
- Radomir Petrić, NVU Sua Sponte Bar
- Zorana Marković, Center for the Development of Non-Governmental Organizations (CRNVO)
- Marija Kalezić, Center for Civil Liberties (CEGAS)
- Staša Baštrica, Montenegrin LGBTIQ Association – Kvir Montenegro
- Mikan Medenica, NGO Natura
- Mirsala Tomić, Association for Civil Society Development
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