Branko Čečen: How to use Miloš Medenica's videos

Journalist Branko Čečen has urged the public and media to approach sensational content, such as the videos released by Miloš Medenica, with critical scrutiny. In an article for Cenzolovka, Čečen advises users of social media to question the responsibility of publishing such important material without concrete proof, and to consider the potential implications.

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Users of social networks every time they come across something sensational, like Miloš Medenica's videos, should ask: 'Is it responsible to publish something this important without proof?' And after that also: 'Would I give this man my car to go buy something?' And everything will be much easier.

Medenica, who has been convicted in Montenegro and sentenced to 10 years for creating a criminal organization, smuggling, and other offenses, has become an unlikely influencer through his video releases. One video, described by Čečen, features Medenica discussing a murder with alleged close ties to a third Serbian police officer. This has led to the prompt arrest of a police officer and a subsequent administrative struggle between the prosecution, attempting to conceal the crime, and the police, accused of evidence removal and inaction.

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A convicted desperate man of cheerful disposition is talking about something on the phone. He is not talking about football or his ill fate, but he informed the public about a murder with which the third Serbian police officer is connected, too closely.

Čečen highlights the unreliability of Medenica as a source, citing his status as a convicted criminal whose mother, the former president of Montenegro's Supreme Court, allegedly aided him in his crimes. Given his past, Čečen argues, Medenica has little to lose by lying. Medenica possesses an extensive amount of information despite being a fugitive, raising further questions about the origin and veracity of his claims.

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The policeman is promptly arrested and the now banal struggle of the administrative unit for the concealment of crime and arbitrary interpretation of the law (prosecution) begins, on one hand, and paramilitary formations for the removal of evidence, inaction, and private security (police) on the other.

For journalists, Čečen recommends applying established journalistic standards when dealing with "live sources." He acknowledges that information often comes from a mix of human sources, documents, social media, and other media, and that much of it is not entirely reliable. The challenge, he notes, lies in discerning the truth. He suggests that by applying these standards, it becomes easier to navigate such complex situations and avoid amplifying potentially false or misleading information.

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My suggestion is: try with journalistic standards in working with 'live sources' (people). It can help.