18. 09. 2002

Montenegrin Parliament Adopts Media Bills

PODGORICA, September 18, 2002 - After postponing debate on new media legislation eight time, the Montenegrin Parliament today finally adopted three new acts hammered out with Council of Europe “consultants”. The first act forbids public companies from establishing various kinds of media companies, with the exception of public broadcasting services. The same legislation also guarantees the right of journalists to preserve the anonymity of their sources. A new Broadcast Act provides for the establishment of a state agency responsible directly to the Parliament for the allocation of broadcast frequencies. The third act covers public broadcasting services. It provides for RTV Montenegro to be transformed into a public service and introduces measures aimed at preventing the state broadcaster’s programming board being politicised. The new legislation will come into effect in May next year under an amendment proposed by the Liberal Alliance.