Analysts: Disinformation and fake news cause divisions in Montenegrin society

2024-01-13 20:01:02, Kosova & Bota CNA

Analysts estimate that the media in Montenegro are loaded with misinformation and fake news, clearly affecting the division of Montenegrin society.

Disinformation, according to them, intensified since the beginning of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, but also during the last two parliamentary elections, while in Montenegro the verification of fake news is still a problem.

According to analysts, disinformation in the various media in Montenegro has a significant spread, negatively affecting the Montenegrin society.
The analyst of these issues, Aleksandar Sasha Zekovic, told the Voice of America that disinformation in the Montenegrin media is constant and presents a serious problem.

"This has been a problem for a long time in Montenegro, and misinformation has clearly influenced the division of Montenegrin society," said Mr. Zekovic.
Media researcher and analyst Haxhi Shabani also points out that misinformation has spread in all media in Montenegro.

"Disinformation is characteristic not only in electronic media, but also in alternative ones such as portals and especially in social networks. Those media that are influenced by various Russian and Serbian circles are especially prominent," Mr. Shabani said.

Researcher Shabani estimates that disinformation and fake news intensified in the last two parliamentary elections in Montenegro.

"This has been characteristic, especially in the last two parliamentary elections, where the districts won, which were prominent or had connections with the mentioned Serbian and Russian districts, and a reaction was made by the state structures, mostly when they were forced ", said Mr. Shabani.

Mr. Zekovic points out the fact that "the Montenegrin governments have not shown seriousness and real concern for the phenomena created in the media".

Analysts point out that the information war and disinformation intensified after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, while in Montenegro the verification of fake news is still a problem.