3. not seek to usurp the role of the courts. Effective self-regulation is the best system for promoting high standards in the media. ;3URPRWLQJ3URIHVVLRQDOLVP 1. 2. Media practitioners shall be free to organise themselves into unions and associations. The right to express oneself through the media by practising journalism shall not be subject to undue legal restrictions. ;,$WWDFNVRQ0HGLD 3UDFWLWLRQHUV ;,,3URWHFWLQJ5HSXWDWLRQV 1. no one shall be found liable for true statements, opinions or statements regarding public figures which it was reasonable to make in the circumstances; public figures shall be required to tolerate a greater degree of criticism; and sanctions shall never be so severe as to inhibit the right to freedom of expression, including by others. 2. 1. 2. 3. Attacks such as the murder, kidnapping, intimidation of and threats to media practitioners and others exercising their right to freedom of expression, as well as the material destruction of communications facilities, undermines independent journalism, freedom of expression and the free flow of information to the public. States are under an obligation to take effective measures to prevent such attacks and, when they do occur, to investigate them, to punish perpetrators and to ensure that victims have access to effective remedies. In times of conflict, States shall respect the status of media practitioners as non-combatants. 6R7KLVLV'HPRFUDF\" States should ensure that their laws relating to defamation conform to the following standards Privacy laws shall not inhibit the dissemination of information of public interest. ;,,,&ULPLQDO0HDVXUHV 1. 2. States shall review all criminal restrictions on content to ensure that they serve a legitimate interest in a democratic society. Freedom of expression should not be restricted on public order or national security grounds unless there is a real risk of harm to a legitimate interest and there is a close causal link between the risk of harm and the expression.