site.btaBrussels Voices Concern Over Reciprocal Media Representatives Entry Bans by Serbia and Montenegro

The European Union has expressed concern over reciprocal entry bans imposed on journalists by Serbia and Montenegro, stating that measures restricting media work are not in line with the values expected of EU candidate countries.

The European Commission told Radio Free Europe that countries in the enlargement process must act in accord with fundamental European values, including respect for democratic principles, fundamental rights, freedom of expression, and media freedom.

“ Progress on the EU path requires a clear commitment to these values. Therefore, measures that can limit the work of journalists are of concern. Partners in the enlargement process are expected to ensure that journalists can freely do their work, without unjustified and unfounded restrictions,” an EC spokesperson told RFE.

It is further stated that the European institutions are aware of reports about reciprocal entry bans on journalists between Serbia and Montenegro and will continue to closely monitor developments.

The reaction from Brussels came after a number of Montenegrin journalists were denied entry into Serbia.

These bans followed Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s announcement of reciprocal measures in response to the decision by authorities in Podgorica to ban the entry into Montenegro of the editor-in-chief of the pro-government tabloid Informer, Dragan Vucicevic.

Citing information from security services, Vucic announced that Vucicevic had been prohibited from entering Montenegro, describing Podgorica’s decision as a “major mistake.”

On July 23, the director of the Montenegrin media outlet RTV Podgorica, Vladimir Otasevic, was denied entry into Serbia at the border crossing between the two countries.

At the beginning of July, journalist Petar Komnenic from TV Vijesti was first denied entry into Serbia, and several days later, the executive director of BIRN (Balkan Investigative Reporting Network) in Montenegro, Vuk Maras, was also banned from entering the country.

At the end of May, the regulatory body for electronic media in Montenegro (AMU) decided to limit the reception and rebroadcasting of Informer TV from Serbia in the territory of Montenegro for six months.

The decision was justified by claims that the media outlet’s content insults the dignity of the Montenegrin people, denies Montenegrin national identity, incites hate speech and discrimination, and insults the dignity of citizens and institutions of Montenegro.

Several international media freedom organizations condemned the previous bans preventing Montenegrin journalists from entering Serbia. The European Federation of Journalists assessed that such measures pose a risk to investigative journalism, while Reporters Without Borders and the International Press Institute called on Serbian authorities to lift the bans.

European institutions are also approaching this issue from a regional perspective.

Brussels recalls that good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation remain key elements of the European Union’s enlargement process.

“That is why we encourage both Serbia and Montenegro to avoid steps that could further increase tensions and instead engage constructively in resolving outstanding issues,” the European Commission spokesperson said.