Criminal charges against journalists are an attack on press freedom

The Reporting Diversity Network expresses its full solidarity with investigative journalists Đurđa Radulović and Andrea Perišić from the Centre for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN-CG). The two journalists, also long-time contributors to RDN‘s work, are now facing criminal charges filed by Ivica Janović, Director of the Montenegrin Agency for National Security (ANB).  

The charges came after CIN-CG published an investigative piece in which the two journalists examined the ANB’s hiring practices, raising questions about whether the system of security checks is compromised in some cases. Rather than addressing these legitimate concerns in the public interest, Director Janović responded with criminal complaints, while the police demanded that the journalists reveal their sources during questioning. This is unacceptable.  

Criminalising investigative journalism and pressuring reporters to expose their sources are tactics that have no place in a democratic society. RDN joins SafeJournalists and other organisations in Montenegro and across the region in the call on the Montenegrin judiciary to handle this case in line with domestic law and international freedom of expression standards and urges Montenegrin institutions to refrain from any actions that intimidate journalists or obstruct reporting on matters of public concern. As a network committed to responsible and professional media across the Western Balkans, we stand firmly in solidarity with Đurđa Radulović and AndreaPerišić. An attack on journalists doing their job is an attack on all of us.