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Media Coverage of Referendum Campaign Mostly Correct

Ivana Stevanovic

19 May 2006

The Montenegrin media covered the issues and developments surrounding the referendum and the future state and legal status of Montenegro correctly and professionally, shows the monitoring of media coverage implemented by the Association of Young Journalists (AYJ).
"AYJ didn't detect indicators of any form of restrictive reporting. The actors of the two options were given ample space and opportunity to present their views in the media. AYJ didn't register, nor has it received reports of any attempts at manipulation, presenting untrue facts and statements", states the Report on the Monitoring of Montenegrin Print and Electronic Media. The monitoring was implemented from May 1 to May 15, 2006. It also didn't detect any impotant mistakes by the reporters, regarding favouring any individual political position.

In terms of electronic media, in the segment in which entities and persons directly and expressly present their support or opposition to the independence, the majority of the media continued to present far more pro-independence positions. The editorial preference for one of the two options was more prominent with some print media, as opposed to the main news programmes of television stations.

This, however, never fully leaves the framework of fair and correct reporting. The clear advantage in terms of coverage, enjoyed by the pro-independence bloc is due, primarily, to greater activity of the Government, which promotes independent Montenegro in all its activities, states AYJ.

AYJ concluded that, in this referendum campaign, the media in Montenegro showed great progress compared with previous political campaigns and a much higher degree of plurality. All political options received their space and were able to express their positions. Nonetheless, AYJ adds that the manner in which the two blocs led their campaigns had significant impact on the contents of the reporting.

After the referendum, AYJ will publish its final and detailed report, which shall cover the media reporting on the referendum reporting in the period from October 2005 to the Referendum Day.