As media landscapes evolve rapidly under the influence of digital technologies and shifting social expectations, the need to strengthen ethical standards in journalism has become increasingly urgent - particularly in transitional media environments such as Montenegro.

In the framework of ongoing efforts to enhance professional standards and promote media freedom in Montenegro, a working meeting was held in Podgorica to support the revision of the Journalists’ Code of Ethics.

The event brought together journalists, editors, media organisations, legal experts, and representatives of the Council of Europe and the OSCE. Participants jointly reviewed the current Code of Ethics and proposed updates that respond to the challenges and realities of today’s dynamic media environment.

Discussions were organised around key thematic areas, including:

• Core Principles of Journalism Ethics – Revisiting the foundations of ethical journalism in the Montenegrin context.
• Emerging Issues – Addressing complex contemporary topics such as the use of social media by journalists, the impact of artificial intelligence on media practices, ethical reporting during election campaigns, and approaches to countering hate speech.
• Cross-Cutting Topics – Exploring the ethical dimensions of reporting on gender-based violence, moderation of online comments, protection of copyright, and the right to be forgotten in digital spaces.

The meeting served as a platform for inclusive dialogue and expert contributions, aimed at developing a modern, practical, and widely accepted ethical framework. The outcomes will contribute to the drafting of an updated Code, followed by a public consultation process prior to its final adoption.

This activity is supported by the action on “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in Montenegro” (PROFREX-M), implemented within the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression,  under the joint European Union and Council of Europe Programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.