Đuranović: I am appalled that business communication is being criminalized, I perceive the SSPO's summons as media targeting

I am appalled that business communication, in which I participated as the Executive Director of Portal Analitika, has even been brought into question or is being attempted to be criminalized and given a context any other than a purely business one - said Tinka Đuranović, who responded to a summons from the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SSPO) to testify in the investigation against businessman Aleksandar Mijajlović. A hearing of the Editor-in-Chief of Television E Draško Đuranović was also scheduled for today, but it was postponed.

The Director of Analitika said she could not provide details of today’s testimony, as the proceedings are ongoing.

- I duly responded to the summons to testify and fulfilled my obligation to give testimony - she emphasized.

She believes that she is being targeted as a woman in a leading position within a media outlet.

- Beyond the fact that I perceive and experience this as an attempt to personally undermine my reputation and endanger my personal livelihood, I believe that this is primarily the targeting of a media outlet and an attempt to influence its reputation, existence, and revenues by presenting business communication as something that is criminalized - Đuranović underlined.

She noted that they informed the European Union delegation in Montenegro and addressed the United Nations, adding that the Editor-in-Chief who attended all of those meetings and communications did so precisely in order to protect the journalistic profession.

- This is because the Code of Ethics of Journalists in Montenegro is one of the few codes that has been incorporated into law, is explicitly mentioned in legislation, and is relied upon by the Media Law - Đuranović added.

She emphasized that the Analitika Portal operates professionally and adheres to the Code of Ethics of Journalists.

- And I am here to ensure, in business and financial terms, the conditions for lawful and legitimate operations - Đuranović concluded.

ĐurHe recalled that Television E, as a targeted media outlet, had addressed the delegation of the European Commission.

- The European Commission responded promptly, as did the United Nations, but the story continues. I hope not for much longer, but we will not give up on the professional standards that we uphold - Đuranović said.

He does not believe there is any basis for giving testimony about any kind of criminal activity.

- If it is a crime to do our job as a media outlet, then we accept that we are, conditionally speaking, on the other side of the law. But I believe it is clear to everyone that this is a form of media targeting, I won't say persecution, but truly an attempt to endanger what is most important for the media - their business and professional reputation - Đuranović concluded.anović: I perceive the SSPO’s actions as pressure, there is no basis for giving testimony about any kind of criminal activity

The Editor-in-Chief of Television E Draško Đuranović said that he perceives the actions of the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SSPO), which summoned him for questioning by phone without a formally delivered subpoena, as pressure and targeting of the media, stating that there is no basis for giving testimony about any criminal acts.

Đuranović was contacted by phone on Thursday, December 11th, and asked to give a statement to the Special State Prosecutor’s Office as part of an investigation against businessman Aleksandar Mijajlović, who, according to the SSPO’s order to conduct the investigation, created a network of media outlets to influence socio-political developments. As he pointed out, the summons was not formally delivered to him, but he was informed that the hearing was scheduled for December 19th at 8:30 a.m.

- I asked, of course, that the summons be delivered to me in accordance with all legal procedures, especially since I had a trip outside Montenegro for the following week that couldn't be postponed. The summons was not delivered to me, but I was told that the hearing would take place on December 19th at 8:30 a.m. and that I would be questioned as a witness. Unfortunately, that did not happen, so the hearing was postponed by some five or six days - Đuranović said outside the SSPO building.

He described this as a form of pressure by the state prosecution, an institution which, he emphasized, should respect both the law and the Constitution.

- I don't think this is appropriate - Đuranović stressed.

He recalled that Television E, as a targeted media outlet, had addressed the delegation of the European Commission.

- The European Commission responded promptly, as did the United Nations, but the story continues. I hope not for much longer, but we will not give up on the professional standards that we uphold - Đuranović said.

He does not believe there is any basis for giving testimony about any kind of criminal activity.

- If it is a crime to do our job as a media outlet, then we accept that we are, conditionally speaking, on the other side of the law. But I believe it is clear to everyone that this is a form of media targeting, I won't say persecution, but truly an attempt to endanger what is most important for the media - their business and professional reputation - Đuranović concluded.