A/68/268 action measures where necessary, to ensure that public employers reflect the religious diversity in society. 9. Role of the media 71. The media are key in shaping societal perceptions, and their often negative role in relation to minorities, and particularly religious minorities, is frequently cited. Participation in the mainstream media for religious minorities is essential. Part of the rationale for facilitating access to the media for religious minorities is to allow them to communicate their views and counter the prejudices and stereotypes that wider society may hold. Another rationale is for religious minorities to contribute content and expertise to the media in order for others to learn about their communities. This knowledge supports social cohesion, counters political forces that wish to paint all religious minorities as lacking in loyalty or as extremists, and enriches the pluralism and diversity of societies. 72. In this context, the Rabat Plan of Action notes that States have the responsibility to ensure space for minorities to enjoy their fundamental rights and freedoms, for instance by facilitating registration and functioning of minority media organizations. States should strengthen the capacities of communities to access and express a range of views and information and embrace the healthy dialogue and debate that they can encompass. 19 73. The media should also be mindful of who they select to represent religious minority voices. Too often the most intolerant — and often also least representative — so-called leaders are picked by the media, and this may lead to perceptions that those views are mainstream among religious minorities. It seems that mainstream and more grounded voices within the religious community concerned are not sensationalist enough for some programmes. Giving media time to fiery rhetoric, especially subsequent to intercommunal tensions or events, can be irresponsible and undermine years of investment by moderate elements in the advancement of community understanding and cohesion. Journalistic ethics can play an important role here, as would a well-developed and independent media monitoring body. 74. Minority representation in the media is one such key concern. The knowledge base of the public is often more limited concerning the culture, values and positions of minorities since they are commonly numerically smaller in number and are not the holders of power. It may be the case that outreach to minority communities is required to encourage participation, seek expertise and build trust, as well as to encourage those from minorities to take up opportunities provided by the media and to become active in producing and contributing to media content. In addition to such access to the mainstream media, minorities have the right to establish their own media and should be supported in efforts to do so. 75. Special consideration should be given to facilitating the right of reply for religious minorities. This should be regardless of the principle of the independence of the media, and regardless of whether it concerns the private or public media. __________________ 19 18/23 Reflecting the conclusions and recommendations emanating from four regional expert workshops organized by OHCHR in 2011, and adopted by experts in Rabat on 5 October 2012. See Rabat Plan of Action on the prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, A/HRC/22/17/Add.4, appendix. 13-41869