Allegations of anti-union discrimination and pressure on trade union representatives at Montenegro’s public broadcaster, obstacles to collective bargaining, and the generally poor socio-economic position of media workers in Montenegro have all been highlighted in this year’s European Commission (EC) Report, once again confirming the concerns that the Trade Union of Media of Montenegro (TUMM) has been raising for years.

Of particular significance to us is the fact that, for the first time, the European Commission has addressed allegations made by trade union representatives at RTCG concerning inappropriate pressure from management, anti-union discrimination and delays in collective bargaining, in the section dealing with working conditions in the media. The very fact that these allegations of anti-union discrimination and pressure on trade union representatives at the public broadcaster have been included in the European Commission’s Report speaks volumes about the seriousness of the problem.

On the other hand, as in previous years, the EC has once again drawn attention to the ongoing court proceedings concerning the appointment of RTCG’s Director General, while assessments of balanced reporting by the public broadcaster have again been absent.

The European Commission also acknowledged the broader problem of limited social dialogue and collective bargaining in the media sector, as well as cases of pressure linked to trade union membership. At the same time, the Report notes that the Sectoral Collective Agreement (SCA) for the media industry has still not been concluded, preventing media workers from exercising their labour rights on equal terms with employees in other sectors.

TUMM welcomes the European Commission’s renewed attention to this issue, including its reference to findings from research we conducted in cooperation with the OSCE Mission to Montenegro. We recall that the adoption of the Sectoral Collective Agreement is one of the commitments set out in the Media Strategy, yet media workers have been waiting for years for an agreement that would improve their rights and working conditions.

It is also significant that the EC recognized the sectoral trade union’s active efforts to improve the socio-economic position, professional standards and safety of media workers. The fact that the European Commission has been citing findings from TUMM’s research for years further confirms the importance of our work.

The safety of journalists remains one of the key issues highlighted by Brussels. The Report refers to our data showing that at least 33 incidents were recorded in 2025, with women journalists disproportionately affected.

We are encouraged that the Mechanism for the Safety of Journalists, established at TUMM’s initiative, has also received the European Commission’s attention. The Report notes that its establishment has led to better coordination among the relevant institutions, more accessible support for journalists, and more systematic monitoring of reported cases and their outcomes.

The European Commission reiterated its recommendation that journalists be provided with timely and effective police and judicial protection against all forms of violence, with priority given to investigations and court proceedings in key longstanding cases. It also warned that Montenegro has yet to adopt specific legislation aligned with the European framework for protection against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), leaving journalists exposed to potential legal pressure and intimidation.

TUMM expects the European Commission’s findings to lead to more than observations repeated year after year, and to prompt the relevant institutions and employers to ensure effective protection of media workers’ labour and trade union rights.