The Government of Montenegro has appointed Radica Zeković as the acting director of the Directorate for Media within the Ministry of Culture and Media. This decision follows the resignation of the former director, Neđeljko Rudović, which left the position vacant. The appointment was confirmed during a government session and is in accordance with the Law on State Officials and Employees.
Zeković will serve in this role until a permanent director is selected, with her term lasting no longer than six months. The official announcement detailing this decision will be published in the Official Gazette of Montenegro. The government stated that the Directorate for Media is essential for the smooth operation of media governance, which is crucial at this time of ongoing discussions about media freedoms and regulatory structures.
Tamara Vujović, the Minister of Culture and Media, proposed Zeković for the position, citing her professional experience and commitment to her previous work. The Commission for Personnel and Administrative Issues underscored the necessity of filling the vacant position through the legally mandated competitive process, emphasizing the importance of maintaining continuity within the Directorate.
The Directorate has been without a general director since July 25, 2025, when Rudović submitted his resignation. He cited disagreements regarding the implementation of media laws and highlighted political pressures on public media institutions and regulatory bodies as significant factors in his decision. In his public statement, Rudović expressed that the media laws, which he had helped prepare in collaboration with various stakeholders, were being undermined in practice, particularly concerning the independence of the Public Service RTCG and regulatory authorities.
Rudović framed his departure as a matter of professional responsibility, asserting that he could not accept accountability for decisions beyond his influence under the current circumstances. His resignation has raised concerns regarding the operational continuity of the Directorate, particularly amid intensified discussions about media freedoms and the roles of public service media and regulatory bodies.
The Law on State Officials and Employees stipulates that when a high-ranking official’s mandate ends, an acting official may be appointed until a new director is appointed, for a maximum of six months. This can occur no more than twice for any given position. The decision regarding such appointments is made by the relevant authority, which in this case is the Government of Montenegro.
As the appointment of Zeković unfolds, the media landscape in Montenegro remains under scrutiny, with stakeholders closely monitoring the implications for media governance and independence in the region.
