Almost three-quarters of media employees in Montenegro receive a salary that is lower than the national average salary, with journalists earning on average between 600 and 1.000 euros, according to the Research on the socio-economic status of journalists and other media professionals in Montenegro , conducted by the Defacto Consultancy research agency on behalf of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Media Union of Montenegro.
Marking 23 January, the Day of Montenegrin Journalists, Deputy Head of the Mission, Giovanni Gabassi, stated the date highlights both journalists' crucial role in democratic societies - holding those in power to account - and the persistent challenges journalists face.
In reference to the new survey, Gabassi noted, "Data from the survey indicate that journalism is a demanding profession. More than half of respondents report high levels of work-related stress, while 69 per cent identify burnout or emotional exhaustion". He further noted that "More than nine out of ten respondents view political or editorial pressure as the key deterrent to entering journalism, while six out of ten cite low starting salaries as a major barrier."
Media Trade Union President, Radomir Kračković, stated that the socio-economic status of media professionals has been a priority of the Union, and that such data was a good starting point for improving the economic position of media workers.
"Although we are recording a slight improvement of the socio-economic position of journalists, it is not enough. Salaries still do not allow for a dignified life, nor do they correspond to the weight and responsibility of the profession."
Defacto Consultancy's Slaven Živković noted that majority of journalists in Montenegro had tenure (77.8%), while 16.5% work on a fixed-term contract, and 4.6% on a temporary contract. He also stressed the urgent need to adopt a sectoral collective agreement, raise salaries to at least the average wage, protect journalist from unpaid overtime, strengthen safety mechanism, and ensure mental health support.
Vice President of the Media Union, Marijana Camović-Velicković, said that the survey's findings largely confirm the Union's long-term findings, while showing worsening trends in some segments, especially when it comes to salaries.
