Podgorica, (MINA) – Journalists in Montenegro are aware of the challenges posed by fast and simplified way of collecting information via the Internet and social networks and are interested in further education in media literacy.

These are the findings of the survey of the perception and challenges for media literacy of journalists and other media professionals carried out by the Media Trade Union of Montenegro (SMCG) within the project “Media literacy among media professionals”.

The survey was carried out in the period between December last year and January this year. Although the questionnaire was sent to 300 email addresses, 75 media workers replied.

The survey author Drazen Djuraskovic said that 90 per cent of respondents argues that the way of collecting information changed in the past five years, with respondents citing the competition, the Internet and social networks as the main source of information.

He remarked that the majority of respondents are aware of the risks and manipulations spread by social media, underscoring some positive aspects of using them, such as reducing the time needed to publish news.

Djuraskovic said that the survey established that almost all respondents, 97 per cent of them, are interested in media literacy training courses, while 65 per cent of them admit that their media outlets do not pay attention to this matter.

SMCG vice-president Marijana Camovic Velickovic said that the survey results are concerning, but not surprising, since media literacy of media employees must be viewed in the broader context of their working conditions, which are largerly a limiting factor when it comes to following trends in the profession.