A large number of media in Montenegro face problems of financial sustainability and political pressures, and trends of decline in the quality of professional standards, vulnerability to hate speech, disinformation and propaganda are noticeable (1). A significant source of disinformation and propaganda campaigns are the media from the same speaking area, primarily tabloids from Serbia (2), whose printed editions are being sold throughout Montenegro. Political pressures are extremely strong, which is also evident in the public service of Montenegro (RTCG), whose transition from a state media organization to a true public service broadcaster has not been completed yet (3). The best-developed national media outlets show signs of potential for investigative journalism and specialized reporting as well (4), and in this field the Digital Forensic Center, the Center for Investigative Journalism and Raskrinkavanje stand out.

Among the countries of the Western Balkans, Montenegro has the lowest position on the global list of media freedoms of Reporters Without Borders. The report states that the authorities continue to harass the media and professional journalists while the main cases of violence against journalists remain unpunished (5). Freedom House also states that some of the most prominent physical attacks on investigative reporters remain unresolved, while journalists – in general – often experience self-censor to avoid threats, political pressure, costly defamation suits, or job loss (6).

Although the state of media literacy in Montenegro is unfavorable, improvements can be expected in the medium and long term, as Montenegro has implemented some of the pioneering efforts in the region in the field of introducing media literacy in the education system. According to IPSOS, the majority of citizens claim they trust the media. The majority of them follow television news daily and believe that this is the medium releasing correct and complete information (7).