Nikšić, Montenegro – 24 June 2025 – Radio and Television of Montenegro (RTCG), the national public service broadcaster, has officially opened a new regional studio in Nikšić, marking a major step forward in its mission to decentralize media coverage and strengthen its presence across the country.

Attending the opening ceremony, President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović welcomed the development as a vital message of decentralization:
“It gives me great pleasure to join in the opening of this new RTCG studio in Nikšić. This is a clear signal that not everything should happen in Podgorica. Montenegro is more than its capital, and today the Public Service Media demonstrated that commitment.”

Speaking at the event, RTCG Director-General Boris Raonić highlighted two key challenges facing public broadcasting in Montenegro:
“First, the centralization of both population and media, which is a symptom of societies that are not ideally organized. Second, the fact that most media events are predominantly covered from the capital. This studio is part of our strategic response to both issues.”

He emphasized that RTCG belongs to all citizens and has played a key role in Montenegro’s democratic and societal development over the decades.

Raonić also announced the planned expansion of RTCG’s infrastructure along the coast, with two new studios — one in Boka, and another in Ulcinj, the latter to be financed through the EU-funded programme “Innovation. Media. Minds: Support to Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans.”

Johan Satler, Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, highlighted the importance of opening the new regional studio:
“This project goes beyond infrastructure. It invests in people—journalists will become mentors to young colleagues. Media literacy, ethics, and digital techniques will be part of workshops in schools and faculties in Nikšić. In this way, we are building a sustainable, inclusive, and responsible media system.”

Georgia Trismpioti, Regional Team Leader of the IMM Program, underlined:
“This new studio is more than a technical upgrade. It is a symbol of connection — between communities and institutions, between young talent and experienced professionals, and between local stories and the national audience. This achievement has been made possible through the generous support of the European Union, under the Innovation. Media. Minds programme, implemented by the Goethe-Institut. We are deeply grateful for this commitment to strengthening public service media in Montenegro and across the Western Balkans.”

The new Nikšić studio, alongside the recently inaugurated facility in Bijelo Polje, will serve as a hub for covering Montenegro’s northern regions, including the Durmitor municipalities. This initiative is part of RTCG’s broader strategy to counter the long-standing centralization of media in Podgorica.

Funded by the European Union, the ”Innovation. Media. Minds Program: Support to Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans”, is managed by the Goethe-Institut on behalf of the European Commission and in collaboration with its implementing partner DW Akademie.