A/HRC/4/27 page 22 authority should also be mandated to control the regularity of the competition of the economic stakeholders’ action in the market of information. Consumers should be able to make choices without being subject to private or public monopoly, a phenomenon that gravely jeopardizes the pluralism of information, affects the independence of media and increases the cost of the access. In addition, monopolistic regimes make it easier to exercise control and censorship of citizens’ opinions and, at the same time, can direct, often in a veiled manner, citizens’ choice in various fields. 85. Media security remains one of the core elements to guarantee pluralist information in a period marked by polarization of opinion and widespread violence. Governments and State institutions should, as appropriate, envisage the creation of ad hoc protection schemes, which would allow journalists to continue their activities with an acceptable level of security, while maintaining their independence. Media enterprises may also decide to cover the expenses for a flexible protection for endangered journalists. The identification and adequate punishment of the perpetrators of attacks against journalists will contribute to strengthening the rule of law and buttress the confidence of the ordinary citizen in State institutions. Media professionals should, under no circumstances, be obliged to bear the economic burden of their physical protection, in addition to the mental stress of being at risk. Governments should also ensure the protection of other categories at risk, such as trade unionists, social workers, students and teachers, and artists. 86. The Special Rapporteur reiterates his call to the Human Rights Council to pay increased attention to the issue of the security and protection of journalists, in particular in situations of armed conflicts. The Council may wish to consider the opportunity, as previously discussed, of entrusting the Rapporteur with the preparation of a study on the causes of violence against media professionals, based, inter alia, on information from and the experiences of Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and including a comprehensive set of conclusions and recommendations. This study could represent the first step towards a debate, within the Human Rights Council, on this crucial issue.