Journalist of “Vijesti,” Dragana Šćepanović, disclosed yesterday that she has experienced mental anguish due to ongoing insults on the “Aktuelno” portal. She mentioned that her fellow citizens, along with some family members, have started to distance themselves from her. As a result, she was compelled to seek professional medical assistance and was also advised to steer clear of subjects that could provoke discomfort from Zoran Ćoć Bećirović.

This announcement was made during a session at the Podgorica Basic Court, which was part of a hearing against the “Ski-resort Kolašin – 1450,” the entity behind that media platform, which operates under Bećirović’s control.

Terms such as racketeering, mafia, and accusations of being mentally unstable have become commonplace as part of the derogatory remarks circulated by the media outlet under Bećirović’s influence.

While addressing the court, she noted that the hostility began after she took an interest in hyperconstruction in Kolašin over the past three to four years and started reporting on it.

“Postings on the ‘Aktuelno.me’ portal that referenced my name began shortly after I started. Considering that Ski-resort Kolašin is a significant investor in Kolašin, my investigations were naturally linked to them. Prior to publishing any articles in my media outlet, I always reached out to them (Ski-resort) via email for comments and included their full responses in my pieces. During that time, the defendant submitted multiple complaints to the ‘Vijesti’ ombudsman regarding my articles; only one was upheld, related to a misidentification of someone I interviewed as being affiliated with the defendant’s union based on how they introduced themselves,” stated Šćepanović.

She continued to pose inquiries through the official email of the Kolašin 1450 Ski Resort until she was contacted by former Kolašin Municipality president Marta Šćepanović, who informed her that Bećirović wished to speak with her.

“I agreed, and we had a meeting at the restaurant of the Ski-resort Kolašin. By that time, offensive articles had already begun to sporadically appear on the ‘Aktuelno.me’ portal, deviating from ethical standards. However, as a public figure, I felt it necessary to endure ‘a certain level of criticism.’ After every article I wrote about ‘Ski-resort Kolašin’ and construction in Kolašin, I faced a backlash from the defendant, which included being demeaned and accused of being a ‘racket runner,’ ‘part of the media mafia,’ ‘connected to an organized crime group,’ ‘mentally unstable,’ and, most importantly, ‘an impediment to all that benefits Kolašin,'” she recounted.

Šćepanović expressed that the remarks following those articles particularly affected her.

“As a single mother living in Kolašin, it was immensely challenging for me to write these articles. I was approached daily by numerous citizens expressing their concerns about my focus on these issues. I also heard rumors that the defendant’s owner was threatening me, suggesting that there were repercussions if I continued. The overarching atmosphere suggested that if a project failed, I was held accountable for its lack of progress. Citizens would approach me questioning how I could act this way, especially when someone wouldn’t sell their land,” she articulated during the main hearing.

She emphasized that these publications instilled a sense of fear in her.

“I experienced a level of anxiety that made me uncertain every time I wrote an article for ‘Vijesti.’ I braced myself for what would come next, feeling fear that manifested physically, preventing me from breathing normally, an issue that persists to this day,” said Šćepanović.

This situation, according to her, also caused a shift in how she was perceived in Kolašin.

“I noticed a change in the behavior of those around me, including relatives working with the defendant Bećirović. Many began to avoid me, and during that period, only two individuals would walk with me through the streets of Kolašin. Ultimately, this impacted my work, as people would decline to interview with me, worried they’d be harmed by the articles posted on Aktuelno. Given Kolašin’s small town dynamics, I felt even more embarrassed and wished to steer clear of situations where I might be questioned about my articles. Moreover, no one from the defendant ever contacted me prior to the publication of any article involving me on ‘Aktuelno.me,’ indicating a professional failure in their reporting standards. Nevertheless, I consistently sent formal inquiries via email before writing any articles, to which, for the most part, I received no reply—just insults a couple of times. They did not address the actual issues at hand, something I made sure to mention in the articles published in ‘Vijesti’,” she explained.

In response to a specific question from the defendant’s attorney, Vladimir Đurković, concerning how citizens addressed her inappropriately, Šćepanović recounted instances where residents questioned her role in blocking construction and warned that if this continued, “these poor people would starve due to halted development.”

Đurković also inquired if she had ever been directly threatened, to which she revealed that citizens warned her that she might suffer a fate similar to that of her colleague from “Pobjeda.”

Bećirović has recently faced charges, including for an attack on journalist Anu Raickovic, with the accusations detailing that he pulled her hair and seized her neck.

Đurković requested the court to dismiss the claim, arguing that the absence of medical treatment, therapy, or any medical evidence unequivocally suggests that any emotional distress was minor and did not influence her physical or mental health…

He asserted that the texts deemed “offensive” by Šćepanović merely reflect legitimate criticism.

“The Aktuelno portal is recognized as a bastion of truth and freedom of speech in Montenegro, exposing corrupt networks that hinder the nation’s progress,” remarked Đurković.

“It happened that dozens of citizens approached me on a daily basis and told me that it was not good for me to deal with these topics. I received rumors that the owner of the defendant was threatening, in the sense that when someone disagreed with him. The overall situation created an atmosphere that if a project was not implemented, I was responsible,” Šćepanović reflected.

After the trial, Šćepanović spoke to “Vijesti,” indicating that it was evident from the defendant’s final submissions that they had no intention of halting their campaign against her.

“During part of that final submission, which I couldn’t fully follow due to feeling unwell, almost all the insults directed at me were reiterated, reflecting what was mentioned in the articles related to the lawsuit. I was targeted again, as they attempted to link me with various interest groups and label me as a dishonorable individual and journalist. Hence, the defendants’ attorney reiterated the contents of their pieces, showcasing their lack of comprehension regarding fundamental principles of freedom of speech, ethical journalism, and human rights,” commented Šćepanović.

Šćepanović pointed out that there were instances where citizens questioned her motives, asking why she was blocking construction, adding that “if she continued this way, these poor people would starve without construction.”

She emphasized her determination to see the court proceedings through: “My primary goal is to contribute to fostering an environment where especially younger colleagues can work freely, without pressure or fear of inconvenience.”

Seeking Psychological Support Following Insults on the Portal

Šćepanović disclosed that she still harbors concerns regarding how her statements will be perceived and portrayed on the “Aktuelno.me” portal.

Thanks to the assistance of her colleagues from the Society of Professional Journalists, she has started receiving professional psychological support to alleviate the discomfort stemming from the articles published about her on Bećirović’s portal.

Additionally, she noted that these articles were never signed, leaving her uncertain about the identity of the author to this day.

The Society of Professional Journalists has also offered her legal support.

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