OSCE Mission to Montenegro supports daily newspaper Dan and portal Libertas Press

Providing public with accurate, timely, verified and objective information, from any place in the country, is of utmost importance, which is why Montenegrin journalists should be adequately equipped and technically supported in their professional reporting, said Dominique Waag, Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro in handing over the mobile journalism equipment for two Montenegrin media outlets.

On 12 April 2022, Ambassador Waag handed over nine sets of mobile journalism equipment to the journalists of daily newspaper Dan, while on 15 April, three sets of mobile journalism equipment, three laptops, two printers and a drone were delivered to the NGO Context and its investigative portal Libertas Press.

The equipment includes smartphones with stands, mobile interview kits with microphones, tripod kits and complementary technical add-ons for the efficient use of the equipment. This equipment will enable journalists to conduct interviews, produce videos and edit material on one device, producing news reports promptly while preserving production quality.

Ambassador Waag said that the Mission is aware of the challenges that Montenegrin media face nowadays, in particular with regards to the overall functioning and sustainability.  “Professional journalists that work with technologically adapted equipment contribute to timely and accurate information of the public and to the media pluralism. In a small market such as Montenegrin, it is important to help the media organizations to survive and find their way on the increasingly demanding media stage,” said Ambassador Waag, praising the role played by investigative media in Montenegro.

Mladen Milutinović, Executive Director and Editor of Dan, said that the equipment provides reporters with opportunity to accomplish their primary goal - timely and reliable information to the public - in an easier and more appropriate way. “Following and recognizing trends in the media, Dan has recently modernized its portal, so this equipment comes at the right time and supports our plan to facilitate the work of each individual, in accordance with the latest standards of the profession,” said Milutinović.

Olivera Lakić, Executive Director of NGO “Context” and Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Libertas Press, said that this donation was very important to their small and new editorial office. “We are very grateful to the OSCE and we want this to be the beginning of a long, mutually beneficial co-operation. The doors of our editorial office are open to all those who want to improve Montenegrin journalism with us and for whom freedom of the media and independent journalism is as important as it is for us,” said Lakić.

In 2019, the Mission organized a training course on mobile journalism for seven media outlets and it will continue supporting Montenegrin media houses and journalists in line with OSCE commitments and principles of freedom of the media.