A/HRC/7/14 Page 26 endangered journalists. Media professionals should not, under any circumstances, be obliged to bear the economic burden of their physical protection, in addition to the mental stress of being at risk. 77. The Special Rapporteur reiterates his call to the Human Rights Council to pay increased attention to the issue of the safety and protection of journalists, in particular in situations of armed conflicts. The Council may wish to consider the opportunity, as previously suggested, of entrusting the Special 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 nongovernmental organizations, and including a comprehensive set of conclusions and recommendations and the drafting of guidelines for the protection of journalists and other media professionals. This study could represent the first step towards a debate, within the Human Rights Council, on this crucial issue, following the discussions held by other bodies, including the Security Council. On defamation offences 78. The Special Rapporteur strongly recommends that Governments decriminalize defamation and similar offences, confining them to the domain of civil law. The amount of fines to be paid as compensation should be reasonable and allow the continuation of professional activities. The Special Rapporteur also urges Governments to release immediately and unconditionally all journalists detained because of their media-related activities. Prison sentences should be excluded for offences concerning the reputation of others, such as defamation and libel. 79. Governments should also refrain from introducing new norms which will pursue the same goals as defamation laws under a different legal terminology such as disinformation and dissemination of false information. Under no circumstances should criticism of the nation, its symbols, the Government, its members and their action be seen as an offence. Elected officials and authorities should accept the fact that because of their prominent and public role, they will attract a disproportionate amount of