The Trade Union of the Radio and Television of Montenegro appeals to EBU: Verify the information you receive from Raonić

The Executive Board of the Trade Union of the Radio and Television of Montenegro has sent a letter to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), claiming that its members have been subjected to numerous pressures and consequences stemming from the actions of Director General of the public broadcaster Boris Raonić.

As a union of independent professionals who, they allege, have faced threats, bureaucratic pressure and even acts of retaliation against individual members by what they describe as the „illegally appointed“ Raonić, the union said it felt obliged to draw attention to a number of issues.

In the letter, the union argues that Raonić's efforts to secure the EBU's support are part of what it describes as his „NGO-media-political manoeuvring“.

- Attempts by Raonić to obtain your support for the NGO-media-political manoeuvring he has been engaged in for the past 20 years can only be detrimental to the EBU - the union wrote.

The union also claims that under Raonić's leadership, the Public Broadcaster has failed to report on court rulings concerning him and disputes both his professional and academic credentials.

- Raonić has never, not once, nor have his compliant editors, informed the public through the channels of the Radio Television of Montenegro that there are 13 court rulings against him, finding that he is unqualified to hold the position - the letter states.

The letter goes on to raise questions about Raonić's legal education and previous representations of his qualifications before international institutions.

- He studied law for a full 25 years and, paradoxically, headed a non-governmental organisation promoting the rule of law - the union wrote.

The union further alleges that Raonić presented himself as a law graduate during appearances at international events before actually obtaining his degree.

- We remind you that he also misled the Council of Europe when he participated in one of its events in 2010 as a law graduate. He did not receive his degree until 2018 - the letter states.

The union also referred to Raonić's participation in an EBU Academy programme, claiming that the Public Broadcaster financed his attendance.

- We dare to say that he also misled you, because in 2024 he attended the EBU Academy, which is intended for professionals with more than ten years of experience in broadcast media. Our public broadcaster paid €12,000 for his participation - the union said.

The letter also comments on the actions of former Council Chairman of the Radio Television of Montenegro Veselin Drljević, referring to his participation in training programmes and recent court rulings.

- According to our information, in the final stage of the programme, in September 2024, Raonić also took Veselin Drljević, then Chairman of the Council, whose doctoral degree is under academic scrutiny and who, as of yesterday, has been convicted in a final court ruling for abuse of office in connection with Raonić's repeated unlawful appointments - the union claimed.

The union further stated that it had not received information it requested under Montenegro's Law on Free Access to Information.

It also claimed that salaries have fallen below the national average under the current management.

- Raonić is asking the EBU to support the broadcaster's independence from politicians, while journalists earn salaries that are 15 percent below the national average. Before Raonić took office, salaries were above the national average - the letter states.

The union also referred to alleged political backing for Raonić's appointment.

- Raonić himself boasted that he had the support of political parties and foreign embassies during his appointment. As in the case of the EBU, he was prepared to misuse the support of both domestic and international institutions - the letter says.

The union urged the EBU to scrutinise more carefully the information it receives from the Public Broadcaster.

- Knowing that the EBU has professionals who closely monitor developments in the region, we once again urge you to thoroughly verify any information you receive from Raonić and his corrupt administration - the union wrote, adding that the Radio Television of Montenegro is no longer functioning as a genuine public broadcaster but, in its view, is subject to political and managerial control.

They added that under Raonić, the Radio Television of Montenegro is not a public broadcaster but the personal fiefdom of an illegally appointed director and his loyal associates, who violate every conceivable rule, adding that the EBU should be concerned about what it describes as the broadcaster's unlawful situation.

- The EBU should be concerned that one of its members, from a country that is a candidate for European Union membership, has been operating in a completely unlawful state for the past five years - the letter concludes.

The union acknowledged that the tone of its letter was unusual but said this reflected the current situation within Montenegro's public broadcaster.