Naslovnica Chapter 10 – Information society and media

Chapter 10 – Information society and media

What is being negotiated?

The last three decades have been marked by the expansion of electronic communications and the digitalisation of society. In line with new technological trends, the European Union is developing new policies to ensure equal and fair access to new digital and electronic services for all users and companies. The EU acquis defining the guidelines in the fields of electronic communications, information society services, and audiovisual policy constitutes Negotiating Chapter 10 – Information Society and Media.

The information society covers information society services and electronic communications. The acquis in this part of the chapter contributes to the development of information services, creates preconditions for reducing the digital divide, and enables the efficient functioning of the market in line with technological progress. It ensures broadband internet access and other electronic services (e-government, e-health, e-signature, e-commerce, etc.), as well as standards for information security. The EU’s objective in this area is to ensure affordable services for users (telephone, fax, internet access, free emergency calls), while stimulating market competition and reducing the dominance of monopolies that affect certain services (e.g. high-speed internet access).

Thanks to the development and availability of the internet, alongside traditional media, the production and provision of audiovisual media (AVM) services are expanding, and new types of digital and electronic publications and platforms are emerging. Rules on the provision and production standards of AVM services, broadcasting methods, production, promotion of common values, cultural diversity, media literacy, pluralism, and the protection of vulnerable groups from inappropriate content are among the issues negotiated within this area of Chapter 10. Bearing in mind that freedom of expression is a cornerstone of all modern and democratic societies, this chapter ensures standards for free, impartial, and professional electronic media.

Sub-areas?

Chapter 10 is divided into three sub-areas. In the field of electronic communications, it includes regulations aimed at reducing the “digital divide” by ensuring equal access to modern technologies for all socio-demographic groups. In the area of information society services, the chapter enables the establishment, development, and better use of the digital market, e-government, e-health, e-signatures, and e-commerce. Through regulations on audiovisual media policy, it seeks to ensure the free circulation of TV programmes, protection of cultural diversity, protection of minors from inappropriate TV content, and similar objectives.

When was the chapter closed?

The chapter on Information Society and Media was opened on 31 March 2014 and provisionally closed at the Intergovernmental Conference on 16 December 2024 in Brussels.

Closing benchmarks?

Within this chapter, Montenegro has defined two closing benchmarks:

  1. Montenegro aligns its legislation with the EU acquis in order to ensure the independence of the regulatory authority for electronic communications (EKIP) and with the acquis on audiovisual media services.

  2. Montenegro demonstrates that it has sufficient administrative capacity to implement the acquis in the fields of electronic communications and audiovisual policy, including the independence of the regulator.

What are the activities in the coming period?

Since the opening of the chapter, Montenegro has continuously improved its legislation and transposed the EU acquis into its legal framework. The majority of obligations under the chapter, especially those defined through the closing benchmarks, have already been fulfilled. In 2017, an analysis of the media sector in Montenegro entitled “Strengthening Judicial Expertise on Freedom of Expression and the Media in South-East Europe (JUFREX)” was conducted, with the aim of contributing to the development and implementation of media policy that promotes and enables freedom of expression and media freedom in Montenegro. Based on this analysis, the Government adopted, in January 2019, an Implementation Plan for the recommendations contained in the analysis (85 in total), with clearly defined institutional responsibilities, measures, and timelines.

Although certain activities do not stem directly from the closing benchmarks, but are based on international and EU standards as well as the recommendations defined in the above-mentioned media analysis, with the aim of closing negotiations in this chapter Montenegro adopted the Law on Media and the Law on the National Public Broadcaster RTCG. The adoption of the Law on Audiovisual Media Services is planned for the following year.

Institutions/organizations participating in the negotiation group?

The working group responsible for preparing and conducting negotiations in the area of the acquis related to Negotiating Chapter 10 – Information Society and Media includes the following institutions: the Office for European Integration, the Ministry of Public Administration, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, the Agency for Electronic Media, the Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services, the Agency for Personal Data Protection and Free Access to Information, Radio and Television of Montenegro, the Inspection Administration, the Health Insurance Fund, the Broadcasting Centre, the Employers’ Union, the Union of Free Trade Unions, the University of Montenegro, the Mediterranean University, the NGO “Multimedijal Montenegro,” and the NGO “Mladiinfo Montenegro.”

What are the benefits for Montenegro of this chapter?

The benefits of this chapter include broad access to the internet (with the aim of providing fast internet to everyone, regardless of physical distance), electronic communications (mobile and fixed telephony), a large number of electronic services aimed at more efficient and faster procedures (company registration, appointment scheduling, electronic identification), protection of minors from inappropriate content, mandatory content rating indicating age appropriateness, promotion of national and European cultural heritage, and more.

In 2008, Montenegro introduced the single European emergency number 112, with the aim of enabling citizens to request assistance in all emergency situations, both in Montenegro and in EU countries, by calling a single number. Citizens can call from fixed or mobile phones in cases requiring emergency medical assistance, fire services, police, and other protection and rescue services. The emergency number is used alongside other emergency service numbers – 122, 123, and 124. Calls to this number are free of charge and available 24 hours a day.

At EU level, roaming charges were abolished in mid-2017. This means that Europeans travelling within EU countries can use roaming services at the same prices they pay at home. As regards third countries, in April 2019 the Western Balkan countries signed the Agreement on the reduction of roaming service prices in public mobile communication networks between WB6 countries, “Roam Like at Home,” which entered into force on 1 July 2019.

Chapter 10 - Working Group

Bojana Bošković

Negotiatior

Ružica Mišković

Head of the NWG

Melita Rastoder Ljaić

Secretary of the NWG

 

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