The action “Protection of the freedom of expression and of the media in Montenegro (PRO-FREX)” held its Second Beneficiary Steering Committee in Podgorica on 5 April.

In the light of recent expert support, by providing a Legal Opinion on three main laws regulating media in Montenegro, as well as Policy Advice on Media Ownership and Ownership Transparency rules, the Steering Committee adopted a comprehensive Activity Plan for the rest of the year 2024.

With representatives of all beneficiary authorities present, it was agreed that the action activities will be focused on several main topics. Those activities include support to preparation of the new Code of Ethics and Professional Standards for journalists in Montenegro; preparation of Standard Operating Procedures for the Police Directorate for implementation of Guidelines for Journalists at Risk; support to Centre for Training in Judiciary and State Prosecution in raising capacities of the justice sector with respect to the protection of freedom of expression and further support to the Ministry of Culture and Media in the implementation of the Media Strategy.

The members of the Steering Committee stressed the importance of the role of the PRO-FREX action in the guarding the standards of the freedom of expression during the ever-growing challenges and accelerated changes affecting freedom of expression and information.

This event was organised within the joint action "Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in Montenegro”, implemented by the Council of Europe’s Division for Co-operation on Freedom of Expression, within the joint European Union - Council of Europe programme "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.