Where Montenegrins Get Their Political News: Online Portals Lead But Social Media Dominates Among Youth

When it comes to staying informed about politics, Montenegrins turn most frequently to online news portals but generational divides in news consumption are clear. Our polling reveals that while television retains a strong foothold among older voters and party loyalists, younger citizens increasingly rely on social media, raising questions about trust, information quality and media fragmentation.

Online Portals: The Dominant News Source for Most

The majority of Montenegrins (40%) say they get their political news primarily from online news portals, making it the most popular source overall. This preference cuts across genders and political affiliations, though it peaks among those aged 35 to 44 (49%).

Europe Now (PES) and Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) voters are especially likely to rely on these sources, 36% and 60% respectively, indicating that mainstream digital platforms continue to shape discourse across both government and opposition supporters. Among supporters of Albanians Together and Democratic Montenegro too, portals play a significant role. By contrast, support for online portals is lowest among voters from newer or more fringe parties. Just 21% of those backing URA and 19% of Bosniak Party voters reported portals as their main news source.

Social Media: The Platform of Choice for the Young and the Unaligned

Social media is the second most common news source overall (28%) but it dominates among young people who prefer TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X as their primary means by which they engage with politics. Nearly half (46%) of 18–24-year-olds said they get most of their political news from social platforms, much higher than other age groups who prefer television and online portals.

Social media consumption is also particularly high among minority party supporters, 62% of those who back the Social Democrats and 65% of those supporting the Bosniak Party list it as their main news source. These patterns suggest that smaller or marginalised political communities may increasingly rely on decentralised platforms to access information and build networks.

Television: Still Powerful But Losing Ground

Television remains the main news source for 23% of respondents, holding its ground primarily among older age groups and traditional party bases. Among voters aged 55 and above, 27% still list TV as their main source of political information but it is also popular for those aged 25-34 as 26% chose it as their main source. Notably, television is especially dominant among supporters of For the Future of Montenegro (ZBCG), 43% of whom rely on it, along with Civic Movement URA supporters (61%) and even 35% of Europe Now voters.

In contrast, only 20% of 18–24s consider television their main source. These numbers suggest that broadcast networks may still wield influence among older Montenegrins and certain party loyalists but their relevance is diminishing rapidly among the youth.

Radio, Print and Word of Mouth

Radio is now a marginal player in Montenegro’s political information ecosystem, just 1% overall cited it as their primary source. Not a single respondent named print newspapers or magazines, highlighting the near-total collapse of print journalism as a relevant medium for political communication in the country.

Word of mouth (3%) and “other” responses (5%) were also minimal, though the latter included a surprising 18% among Civic Movement URA supporters.

The Media Landscape Ahead: Fragmented, Generational and Politicised

Montenegro’s media consumption habits reflect a country in transition. Traditional sources like television are still a mainstay across demographic lines but continue to serve older and more established party voters more, however the momentum is clearly shifting toward digital platforms, especially among younger demographics and minority party supporters. As social media becomes the dominant news source for the next generation, questions around information quality, echo chambers and political polarisation will only grow more pressing. For parties, journalists and civil society alike, understanding where Montenegrins get their news is now essential to shaping how they think, vote and engage.

Download the data tables for this poll.