On the evening of 10 November 2024 around 10 PM, Ana Raičković, editor of the crime section for Pobjeda (https://www.pobjeda.me/) daily newspaper, was violently attacked outside a Podgorica, Montenegro, restaurant. One businessman, his son, and their security guard, were arrested for their involvement. After a decision by the Basic Court in Podgorica all trhee were remanded in custody for up to 30 days. Police reported that Raičković and two family members endured verbal threats, escalating into physical violence, and that their car was also damaged.
Raičković sustained multiple blows to her head and body, providing testimony to the police. The assailants were detained for charges of violent conduct, with police emphasizing that such offenses against journalists carry heightened penalties.
The local tycoon has been previously associated with notable controversies and has allegedly a documented history of disputes with journalists, including a 2019 confrontation with journalist Vladimir Otašević which ended without serious consequences.
Government officials, including President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović and Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajić, publicly condemned the attack, urging swift justice. Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović described the incident as an assault on press freedom and democratic rights, emphasizing the state’s responsibility to protect journalists.
The Trade Union of Media of Montenegro (Sindikat Medija Crne Gore – SMCG – TUMM – https://sindikatmedija.me/en/) and media watchdogs demanded strict enforcement of laws and pointed to this persons long-standing intimidation tactics, including using his media outlet for smear campaigns.
This year alone, Montenegro has witnessed a worrisome number of attacks on journalists, with media organizations stressing that authorities must demonstrate a zero-tolerance policy toward such violence.
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) strongly condemns the violent attack on journalist Ana Raičković and her family by a businessman, his son, and their security team. Such assaults against journalists undermine freedom of the press and democratic values. SEEMO calls on the authorities to ensure a swift and thorough investigation and to hold the perpetrators accountable to the fullest extent of the law. SEEMO will be closely monitoring this case to advocate for justice and uphold the safety and rights of journalists across the region.
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.
#fyp #mediafreedom #seemo #freespeech #southeasteuropemediaorganisation#ngo #journalist #montenegro #anaraickovic #pobjeda #journalistattacked #napadnanovinare #SEEMO #pressfreedom #mediafreedom #freemedia