The European Commission (EC) has assessed that the effective implementation of Montenegro’s new laws on audiovisual media services and the national public broadcaster is being slowed down by delays in the transparent and merit-based appointment of members to the Council of the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services (AVMU) and the Council of the Radio and Television of Montenegro (RTCG).

According to Vijesti, the EC emphasizes the urgent need for the Parliament of Montenegro to appoint new members to the AVMU Council to ensure its full functioning and independence.

“In addition, the Parliament must immediately initiate the procedure for selecting three members of the RTCG Council,” states the latest informal EC non-paper assessing Montenegro’s progress in Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security), as seen by Vijesti.

The EC recalls that although the appointment of the RTCG Director General was previously challenged in several court decisions, in August 2024 the RTCG Council reappointed the same individual (Boris Raonić) to a full term, “raising concerns about a lack of transparency and possible violations of legal procedure.”

In November 2024, the prosecution filed charges against RTCG Council members for abuse of office in relation to that appointment.

“Given the significance of RTCG as a public broadcaster and the legality of its operations, it is crucial that this case is swiftly resolved in court,” the EC stated.

The Commission also notes that a detailed analysis will be required to align Montenegro’s media legislation with the European Media Freedom Act, which is set to largely come into force on August 8, 2025.