Partially free state of Montenegro according to Freedom House classification.

On May 6, 2019, the U.S. organization Freedom House classified Montenegro as a partially free state and assessed that President Milo Djukanovic and his Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) use an extensive corruption network, allegedly linked to organized crime, to remain in power for nearly three decades. The influential organization in Montenegro, in its "Freedom in the World" report, gave a score of 65 out of 100 possible. The report states that in Montenegro, voters can generally express their political choice freely, but the extensive system of patronage and widespread corruption encourage loyalty to the ruling party.

“Many members of the ruling party have alleged connections to organized crime that strengthen the DPS in power.

• Djukanovic has been wielding immense power for decades, through his roles as prime minister and president, as well as the president of the DPS, even when he was not in power.
• Efforts to strengthen the independence of the judiciary continue, but it remains sensitive to pressure from the government, and corruption within the judicial system remains a problem for Montenegro.
• Partially free countries have also been classified by Freedom House, such as Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Croatia and Slovenia are considered part of free states.

The organization assessed that media messages in Montenegro are often partisan and militant.

• Journalists covering corruption and organized crime are at risk of becoming victims of violence, reminding us of the injury of "Vesti" journalist Oliver Lakic for investigating fraud within the government elite.
• The government often does not allow contracts for dominant media outlets. It is added that journalists covering corruption and organized crime are at risk of becoming victims of violence, reminding us of the injury of "Vesti" journalist Oliver Lakic for investigating fraud within the government elite.