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Report: “Toxic Narratives: Silencing Expression in the Western Balkans”
PEN International, in collaboration with various Balkan PEN centres, publishes a report examining the many challenges faced by independent writers and journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia.
![Investigative reporter Jovo Martinović poses for a photo in front of a court in Podgorica, Montenegro, 8 October 2020, SAVO PRELEVIC/AFP via Getty Images](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/montenegro-journalist-jovo-martinovic-appeal-rejected-getty-768x511.jpg)
Rights groups condemn continued judicial persecution of Montenegrin investigative journalist Jovo Martinović
Leading press freedom and journalists’ organisations, including Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners, strongly condemn the decision by the Court of Appeals to reject Jovo Martinović’s appeal and uphold the first instance verdict of the High Court in Podgorica which convicted the journalist to 12 months of prison.
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Montenegro: Media coalition condemns verdict against journalist Jovo Martinović
The High Court of Montenegro sentenced investigative journalist Jovo Martinović to one year in prison for participating in drug trafficking, despite clear evidence that he was working undercover as part of an investigation at the time.
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Montenegro: Appeal court quashes journalist Jovo Martinović’s 18-month jail sentence
Martinović, a specialist in covering organised crime, was convicted on trumped up charges of marijuana smuggling and criminal association. His re-trial is expected to begin within weeks.
![Jovo Martinović, 12 June 2005, Reporters Without Borders [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/montenegro-jovo-martinovic-rsf.jpg)
Montenegro jails organised crime reporter Jovo Martinović
Jovo Martinović was convicted on dubious charges including drug trafficking and membership of a criminal group; he was handed an 18 month jail sentence.
![The front-page of daily newspaper "Vijesti" with a picture of attacked investigative reporter Olivera Lakic, is seen during a protest in Podgorica, Montenegro, 9 May 2018 , REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/montenegro-olivera-lakic-vijesti-reuters.jpg)
Montenegro: No progress in investigation into Olivera Lakic’s shooting
The investigation into the shooting of reporter Olivera Lakic has ground to a halt and she is now under attack by pro-government media.
![Journalists hold banners that read 'Stop violence' and 'For a life without fear' during a protest against the attack on Olivera Lakić in Podgorica, Montenegro, 9 May 2018, SAVO PRELEVIC/AFP/Getty Images](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/montenegro-attack-olivera-lakic-getty.jpg)
Unknown assailants shoot Montenegrin investigative journalist Olivera Lakić in leg
Lakić is Motenegro’s most targeted journalist; she has been beaten and threatened numerous times in connection with her articles.
![A Montenegrin woman reads a copy of "Vijesti" newspaper in the capital Podgorica, 7 April 2008, SAVO PRELEVIC/AFP/Getty Images](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/montenegro-vijesti-newspaper-getty.jpg)
Montenegrin journalist Sead Sadiković targeted with car bomb
A car bomb exploded outside the journalist’s home; police believe that the attack was related to his work.
![Reporters Without Borders/Creative Commons](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/montenegro_jovo_martinovic_cc.jpg)
Montenegrin court should drop drug charges against investigative journalist
Jovo Martinovic has insisted on his innocence ever since his arrest, claiming that his only links with organised crime were those of a reporter.
![Reporters Without Borders/Creative Commons](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/montenegro_jovo_martinovic_cc.jpg)
Montenegrin court should drop drug charges against investigative journalist
Jovo Martinovic has insisted on his innocence ever since his arrest, claiming that his only links with organised crime were those of a reporter.
![A supporter of opposition Democratic Front alliance takes a selfie during a pre-election rally in Podgorica, Montenegro, 14 October 2016, REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/montenegro_parliamentaryelections_reuters_cropped.jpg)
Viber, WhatsApp temporarily shut down during Montenegro elections
In an attempt to justify the blocking, the authorities said the apps were being used to disseminate “undesirable publicity messages.”
![Link to: Vehicle owned by Montenegrin daily set on fire in latest incident targeting the newspaper](https://ifex.org/wp-content/themes/ifex/assets/images/placeholder.png)
Vehicle owned by Montenegrin daily set on fire in latest incident targeting the newspaper
A car marked with the name of the the Montenegrin daily Vijesti was set ablaze on a street in the Podgorica on 13 February 2014, the latest of several attacks against Vijesti‘s journalists and property over the past eight years. In three separate incidents in 2011, four company cars were set on fire by unidentified assailants.
![Link to: SEEMO Statement on Montenegro](https://ifex.org/wp-content/themes/ifex/assets/images/placeholder.png)
SEEMO Statement on Montenegro
Dear IFEX Representatives, Below is text from and a link to a SEEMO statement on Montenegro posted to IPI’s website today. Best, Steven Ellis http://www.freemedia.at/home/singleview/article/journalist-assaulted-in-montenegro.html Journalist assaulted in Montenegro SEEMO demands investigation into attack, other recent incidents VIENNA, Jan 7, 2014 – The South East Europe Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute […]
![Mihailo Jovovic, the editor-in-chief of Vijesti, looks through a window damaged in a bomb blast overnight at the newspaper's offices, 27 December 2013., REUTERS/Stevo Vasiljevic](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/montenegro_newspaperattack_6jan14_reuters.jpg)
Montenegrin authorities called upon to address attacks on newspaper office, journalists
The International Federation of Journalists calls upon Montenegro’s authorities to investigate the bomb attack on Vijesti daily newspaper, and to address the recent attack on journalist Lidija Nikcevic by a masked man.