The support provided by the Western Balkans Media for Change programme enabled the Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN-CG) to realise its project: Ethical Journalism When Telling Stories of Victims of Violence, which focused on producing high-quality investigative content.
The project resulted in the publication of four in-depth investigative articles addressing gender inequality, revenge pornography, sexual harassment and the struggles of single mothers. It brought attention to underreported issues, such as inadequate legal protections for victims and systemic failures in supporting marginalised groups, particularly women and youth.
The project also generated significant public engagement, with articles reaching over 400,000 readers/viewers across various media platforms. The content was shared widely, not only through traditional articles but also via infographics and short videos which we had produced. These formats helped us connect with younger audiences, boosting the campaign’s impact. CIN-CG’s investigations reached a diverse audience, and the project played a pivotal role in raising awareness and advocating for legal reforms to protect vulnerable groups.
The most rewarding aspects of the Western Balkans Media for Change programme went beyond just financial or technical support. The mentorship and journalistic expertise provided by the programme were invaluable, ensuring the investigations adhered to the highest professional standards. Additionally, the programme’s support for community engagement provided an opportunity for collaboration with civil society organisations such as the Women’s Safe House and Roditelji.me, which enriched our content and helped the team connect with vulnerable groups directly affected by the issues. The public engagement through surveys and social media campaigns we’ve conducted also stood out, as it helped broaden the impact and reach of the work, ensuring it resonated with the audience and fostered dialogue about important social issues.
CIN-CG’s motivation to participate in the Western Balkans Media for Change programme was the opportunity to realise our initiative and to address the lack of media coverage on critical issues affecting underrepresented groups, particularly women and marginalised communities in Montenegro. Realisation of our project provided the opportunity to focus on systemic challenges, including gender inequality, sexual harassment and the lack of legal support for victims of violence, which were not sufficiently covered by mainstream media. Programmes such as Western Balkans Media for Change are vital because they offer a platform to amplify marginalised voices, create awareness about societal challenges and promote social change through quality investigative journalism.
The vision behind CIN-CG’s work is to foster accountability, transparency and justice through investigative journalism that highlights the systemic challenges faced by marginalised communities. The organisation takes pride in its ability to amplify marginalised voices, particularly women, and contribute to positive social change through ethical, fact-based reporting. The project has reinforced CIN-CG’s commitment to promoting human rights, gender equality and social inclusion, ensuring that these critical issues continue to receive the attention they deserve in the public sphere.
Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN-CG) newsroom