A/HRC/25/69 with hatred and incitement, and whether the media felt the need for common code of conduct in tackling such issues. The delegate of Switzerland asked the presenter about her views with regard to self-regulation of the media. 19. Morocco commented that some media outlets lacked sensitisation about minority groups and encouraged xenophobia through tendentious reporting, resulting in tragic consequences. The delegate stated that journalists could be advocates for equitable societies. She asked Ms. Pesic whether it was possible to develop a code of conduct for cultural diversity in and by the media and how the media could play a role in highlighting the value of multiculturalism in European Union, given the general situation that the presenter alluded to in earlier presentation. Ms. Daniela Gomes commented on the role of online social media including blogs and websites in Brazil as a new platform that countered the often exclusionary media environment in the country. 20. The delegate of the United States of America expressed concern over increased media regulations and stated that they were contrary to the culture of freedom of expression in his country, noting that “best way to counter bad speech was with more speech.” The delegate asked about the presenter’s impression of the US approach in comparison with various approaches in addressing such issues. The delegate of South Africa commented that the presentations through the day were interesting and thought-provoking and had emphasized the need for more training and education at various levels to combat xenophobia. The delegate added further that the issue may not have been sufficiently addressed by Article 7 of the ICERD which provided for “effective measures, particularly in the fields of teaching, education, culture and information.” 21. The delegate of Japan stated that regulatory mechanisms could be counterproductive as the inherent role of the media was a check on governments to ensure that they were “doing the right thing’. The delegate pointed out that giving more power to the state by instituting more legislative measures could contradict or undermine the role of media, while self-regulation was a more suitable approach. The delegate of Japan concurred with the earlier comments made by the delegate of the USA that education and freedom of expression, as well as awareness raising activities on developing tolerance of diversity, were more effective tools in countering xenophobia and acts of violence, than regulation. 22. In response, Ms. Pesic pointed out that in democratic societies it has been the duty of media to watch the activities of the authorities and discrepancies on this role existed in non-democratic countries. In response to the role of the media in regard to the events in Egypt, she said that as in most conflicts, media has taken different sides and hoped that the monitoring of events closely will be able to provide further information on the evolving situation. The presenter emphasized that although self-regulation often did not function well, it was considered by the media as a suitable framework. She further pointed out that there existed different frameworks throughout the world as evidenced by those in the USA and Europe. The respective and appropriate model was informed by culture, history and development of a given country. She underscored the importance of training for journalists, especially since journalism in recent times had become simply storytelling. Journalists required educations about how to report, how to diversify newsrooms, in terms of media professionals, sources and perspectives. In terms of enhancing multiculturalism, Ms. Pesic stated that public debate on the issue was important and that it was important to share examples and good practices from other societies in such debates. On the issue as to whether an international instrument was needed, Ms. Pesic replied that any such document would have to be turned into application or it would become just another document. She pointed out the relative lack of information among journalists in EU about human rights instruments, further to the research that the Media Institute had conducted. The presenter concurred with the growing space of online social media for vulnerable communities and education and awareness-raising not only for the public, but the mainstream journalists was equally important. 24