A/HRC/19/55 security forces and the judiciary, are the perpetrators of many of the violations committed against these defenders. A. Journalists and media workers 118. Journalists and media workers monitoring demonstrations and shedding light on violations and abuses often risk their lives. In most regions, they seem to be targeted by the same State actors that they investigate, except for the Americas where non-State actors and unknown groups emerge as the main perpetrators. 119. The monitoring role of journalists and media workers during demonstrations is essential, as it can provide an impartial and objective account of the conduct of both participants and law enforcement officials. States should grant media access to public assemblies to facilitate independent coverage. 120. Restrictions on media and press freedom, and impunity around violations against journalists and media workers defending human rights can foster a climate of intimidation, stigmatization, violence and self-censorship that can have a chilling effect on their work. States should publically recognize the role of these defenders and ensure prompt and impartial investigations and the prosecution of those responsible for violations against them. 121. If journalists or media workers violate an administrative provision, a solution should be found within the administrative civil framework. Criminal law should only be applied when strictly necessary. States should refrain from the persistent use of legislative frameworks to silence legitimate dissent on human rights issues. 122. The protection of journalists and media workers active on human rights issues should not be limited to those formally recognized as such, but should include other relevant actors, such as community media workers, bloggers and those monitoring demonstrations. B. Defenders working on land and environmental issues 123. Defenders working on land and environmental issues are also highly exposed to attacks to their physical integrity, often by non-State actors, and many are killed because of their work on the environmental impact of extractive industries and development projects, or the right to land of indigenous peoples and minorities. The Americas seems to be the region where these defenders are most at risk. 124. States should give full recognition to the important work carried out by defenders working on land and environmental issues in trying to find a balance between economic development and respect of the environment, including the right to use land, natural wealth and resources, and the rights of certain groups, including indigenous peoples and minorities. 125. States should not tolerate the stigmatization of the work of these defenders by public officials or the media, particularly in context of social polarization, as this can foster a climate of intimidation and harassment which might encourage rejection and even violence against defenders. 126. States should combat impunity for attacks and violations against these defenders, particularly by non-State actors and those acting in collusion with them, by ensuring prompt and impartial investigations into allegations and appropriate redress and reparation to victims. 20