A/HRC/7/36 page 6 26. Regarding the racial equality index, Mr. Frans stated that one idea that needed to be part of it should be whether States had ratified the relevant treaties and conventions with or without reservations. This was practical information that should be included in the index. Item 5 (a) (ii): Media 27. Mr. Frans, expert of the Working Group on People of African Descent, began his presentation on the media by stressing the fact that the role of communication and media in the process of development should not be underestimated. Most western media treated the cultures of industrialized nations as superior and the cultures of the developing nations as inferior. The media had enormous influence in shaping public perception of situations around the world. The images of Africa in Western media were, by and large, images of misrepresentation. Media had a responsibility and an obligation to combat racism. Thus, a code of conduct for the media was needed. 28. Ms. Irina Moroianu-Zlătescu, member of the Working Group on People of African descent, expressed her belief that the media had not only an important role to provide information but also a certain responsibility. People always spoke of rights but not enough of responsibilities. The role of the education and the training of the mass media were meant to prevent discrimination. 29. A comment was made regarding the importance of the interconnection between media and the administration of justice. An instance was provided in which the media were irresponsible in their broadcasting; instead of relieving an already tense racial situation, they heightened it by explicitly showing attack dogs mauling black Mozambique immigrants at the South Africa/Mozambique border. The commentator further stressed the importance of the media in general - not just the imbedded media - in being sensible with regard to the type of imagery and content they chose to show. 30. An intervention was made regarding the actual possibility of creating a code of conduct for journalists and, if possible, what would be the time frame for implementing such a code of conduct and who would implement it. 31. Other commentators stressed that, though a code of conduct might have several question marks regarding its implementation, it was imperative to begin work as one was long overdue. The commentator stressed that there should be measures which recommend that the rights and the reputation of persons should be protected. The commentator cited in particular a document adopted at a 2007 Ministerial Conference on People of African Descent which asked that a code of conduct be set up. The observer in that instance recalled Tony Blair’s reaction concerning the well-known cartoons in the Danish newspapers, and stated that, although Mr. Blair had said that although the cartoons were not illegal acts according to British law, there had to be some self-restraint so as to avoid using freedom of expression as an excuse for insults. 32. There was general agreement that the nature of images presented by the media had been a very important issue within the United Nations. It was stressed that that issue should be looked at in a progressive manner and attempts should be made to balance freedom of expression with attempts to reduce incitement of race and religious hatred. The particular importance of regulating against hate media was stressed.