OSCE-supported seminar for journalists on work of law enforcement institutions held in Podgorica

A two-day OSCE-supported seminar for journalists on work of the police, prosecutors and the judiciary took place on 28 and 29 July 2015 in Podgorica.

The seminar organized for the representatives of Montenegrin media outlets was aimed at improving their professional skills and  improving the quality of news reporting on the subject of rule of law and work of law enforcement institutions.

The event was a part of the Mission’s long-term project on raising the accountability and responsibility of state institutions and improving their communication with the media. It also aimed at finding a proper balance between the right of the public to know and the presumption of innocence, protection of human and personality rights and freedom of expression.

“Rule of law and law enforcement institutions need to communicate openly, proactively and transparently with the public, and particularly with media, considered to be ‘the fourth pillar’ in any democracy,” said Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Ambassador Janina Hrebickova . “Our mutual goal is to create an effective platform for communication between citizens, civil sector, media and representatives of the state, and to raise awareness on specific responsibilities of all societal stakeholders.”

The President of the Supreme Court of Montenegro, Vesna Medenica, stated that the right of public to know enables the citizens to form their opinion about the most important political, social, legal, economic developments in the country. “However, the right of public to know must not be exercised at the expense of human rights,” Medenica concluded.