Montenegro has particularly concerning working conditions for journalists, where those without formal employment often lack adequate social protection, according to the 2024 Report on Media Freedom in Europe, titled “Confronting Political Pressure, Disinformation, and the Erosion of Media Independence.”

Regarding the judiciary’s handling of attacks on journalists, the report highlights as positive measures the “conviction and punishment of individuals who have threatened or attacked journalists in Montenegro,” as reported by Vijesti.

The report was prepared for the Council of Europe by partner organizations gathered under the Platform to Promote the Protection of Journalists project.

“The platform’s partners provide a series of recommendations urging the Council of Europe, the European Commission, and the 46 member states of the Council of Europe to strengthen legal protection for journalists, implement measures to combat disinformation, and introduce policies to prevent media surveillance. They call on governments and institutions to support press freedom through policy reforms, transparency, and stronger protections against threats and harassment,” the press release stated following the report’s presentation.

The report also references numerous cases across Europe that highlight systemic failures in investigating and prosecuting crimes against journalists, including the 2004 murder of Dan’s editor-in-chief, Duško Jovanović.

It states that only four out of 35 European countries—Denmark, Germany, Ireland, and Sweden—provide journalists with good working conditions.

“In contrast, Croatia, Montenegro, and Romania have particularly concerning working conditions, where journalists without formal employment status often lack adequate social protection.”

The report notes that local and regional journalists are particularly vulnerable, often receiving lower salaries and having limited or no access to social security systems.

“This trend is present in almost all Council of Europe member states and candidate countries,” the report emphasizes.

It also highlights regional disparities in working conditions, noting that in Central and Eastern European countries—particularly Bulgaria, Hungary, and Serbia—local and regional journalists face disproportionately harsher conditions compared to their colleagues in urban centers or national media outlets.

“Lower wages, insufficient resources, and minimal institutional support further exacerbate these challenges, leaving many without the essential tools and protections needed to perform their journalistic duties professionally,” the report states.

Additionally, it points out that female journalists are “disproportionately affected” by poor working conditions—they often earn less and have limited opportunities for career advancement.

“Moreover, they are more frequently subjected to harassment and threats, both online and offline, which further discourages their involvement in investigative journalism or reporting on significant social issues. Addressing these systemic inequalities is crucial to ensuring a diverse and inclusive media landscape,” the report states.

The report also underscores that freelancers and young journalists are among the most vulnerable groups, with their reliance on short-term contracts or pay-per-article models exposing them to exploitation and financial insecurity.

According to the report, job insecurity directly affects the independence and quality of journalism across Europe.

“In countries with inadequate labor protections, journalists are often forced to work as self-employed individuals or on irregular contracts, losing access to basic social rights such as healthcare, unemployment benefits, or pension security. This instability further exposes them to external pressures, undermining their ability to report freely and ethically,” the report states.

These findings, it concludes, underscore the urgent need for member states and European institutions to prioritize the establishment of robust labor protections for journalists.

“Strengthening these protections is not only crucial for the well-being of media professionals but also for preserving media freedom and ensuring public access to independent and high-quality journalism,” the report asserts.