Media Reporting and Reference Guide on LGBT Issues

6. Advertising
Although the multi-ethnic <strong>and</strong> multicultural character of consumer society is already
reflected in certain commercial advertisements <strong>and</strong> although certain advertisers make an
effort to prepare advertising in a way which reflects a positive image of cultural, religious
<strong>and</strong> ethnic diversity, practices such as those set out hereafter could be developed by the
professional circles concerned.
In certain countries, codes of conduct have been drawn up within the advertising sector
which prohibit discrimination on grounds such as race, colour, national origin, etc.
There are media enterprises which refuse to carry advertising messages which portray
cultural, religious or ethnic difference in a negative manner, for example by reinforcing
stereotypes.
Certain public <strong>and</strong> private organisations develop advertising campaigns designed to promote
tolerance. The media could be invited to co-operate actively in the dissemination of such
advertisements”.
• Council of Europe, Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 of the Committee of Ministers to
member states on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation
or gender identity (Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 31 March 2010 at the
1081st meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies).
“I. Right to life, security <strong>and</strong> protection from violence
(…)
B. “Hate speech”
6. Member states should take appropriate measures to combat all forms of expression,
including in the media <strong>and</strong> on the Internet, which may be reasonably understood as
likely to produce the effect of inciting, spreading or promoting hatred or other forms of
discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual <strong>and</strong> transgender persons. Such “hate speech”
should be prohibited <strong>and</strong> publicly disavowed whenever it occurs. All measures should
respect the fundamental right to freedom of expression in accordance with Article 10 of the
Convention <strong>and</strong> the case law of the Court.
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