Podgorica, (MINA) – The Agency for Audiovisual Media Services (AMU) has imposed fines of EUR 10,000 on TV Adria and TV Prva for broadcasting the documentary “Referendum – the story of fictional freedom”.

AMU announced that the decisions were made in line with the legal competences of the Agency and the provisions of the Law on Audiovisual Media Services.

The press release states that proceedings against the broadcasters were initiated ex officio due to the presence of elements of hate speech, incitement of national intolerance and discrimination, as well as content that insults dignity and challenges the legitimacy of the national identity of Montenegrins and the modern constitutional order of the state.

“During the procedeedings, it was determined that the broadcast content was contrary to the obligations prescribed by the Law on Audiovisual Media Services, especially in the part regarding the protection of human dignity, prohibition of hate speech and the preservation of pluralism and democratic values”, the press release said.

AMU said that when reaching the decision, it was taken into account that both broadcasters had previously been subject to regulatory supervision and that in previous cases they had already received measures and warnings due to similar content.