ACFC/44DOC(2012)001 rev persons belonging to national minorities are guaranteed, for instance, through the flexible implementation of such quotas and or through exemptions of regions where minority communities live in substantial numbers.45 The imposition of language quotas must never imply regulation of content and must fully respect the freedom of the media. Costs for translation or subtitling in order to adhere to such quotas should be taken into account when allocating public funds to minority language media. 44. Moreover, it is important to note that Article 6 of the Framework Convention explicitly calls for action in the media field to promote tolerance and intercultural dialogue in society, and to promote social cohesion. The Advisory Committee has repeatedly underlined the important role of the media in promoting tolerance and respect for diversity, and has criticised media for fuelling inter-ethnic hostilities through biased reporting.46 It is important in this context to ensure that regulatory bodies are established to promote ethical journalism, including through targeted training and awareness-raising activities, and that such bodies also include minority representatives and regularly consult with minority communities. 2. PRIVATE SECTOR MEDIA 45. The Advisory Committee values the significant role played by private and community media for the realisation of linguistic rights of persons belonging to national minorities, and has welcomed the contribution made by the private sector media in the areas of integration and the general appreciation of cultural diversity in society.47 Given the competitiveness of the private media sector, the authorities should consider the creation of incentives for private and community media providers, for instance through funding and the allocation of frequencies, to increase access to and presence in the media especially of numerically smaller minorities and their languages. Special attention should be paid in this regard to the particular needs of rural and remote areas where persons belonging to national minorities live traditionally or in substantial numbers. 46. As regards the application of official language quotas in the private media sector, the Advisory Committee finds that particular attention must be paid to ensuring that private initiative is not unduly limited and that language quotas do not hinder the creation or continuation of minority language media.48 The Advisory Committee has held that the application of an official language quota of 75% to the private media sector is incompatible with Article 9.3 of the Framework Convention.49 Negative consequences facing minority language outlets may include the limitation of broadcasting time, increased costs due to requirements for translation or the production of subtitling in the official language, and even, in some instances, fines for infringements of legal provisions in this domain. 3. PRINT MEDIA 47. While Article 9.3 contains mainly a negative obligation not to hinder the creation and use of print media, the Advisory Committee has underlined in a number of country-specific Opinions its particular significance for persons belonging to national minorities. 50 Serving as an important and traditional means of receiving information and news in particular for the elderly members of the minority community concerned, minority language print editions also have a considerable symbolic and ‘emblematic’ value for the community as a whole, as they confirm the existence of the language in the public sphere. In addition, the Advisory 45 Second Opinion on Ukraine. See, for instance, Third Opinion on Ukraine; Third Opinion on the Russian Federation. 47 See for instance, Third Opinion on Austria. 48 Third Opinion on Moldova. 49 Second Opinion on Ukraine. 50 See, for instance, Third Opinion on Finland. 46 15