that may challenge traditional values or the views of the authorities. They should ensure that neither public institutions and officials nor private media corporations and vested business interests inhibit the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the right to seek, receive and impart information. 54. Journalists who promote human rights are human rights defenders, regardless of their accreditation status and the media through which they work (print, radio, television or the Internet). Journalists who report on human rights violations, corruption or mismanagement or on the work of whistleblowers should not face prosecution, arbitrary legal actions or other repercussions for doing so. Authorities should acknowledge the importance of independent and investigative journalism in uncovering abuses and misuse of power, and they should support it in order to enhance accountability. They should ensure that journalists are not subjected to arbitrary criminal prosecutions and have access to legal aid and other means of support to enable them to carry out their work without interference and fear of reprisals. In particular, they should take steps to ensure the safety of journalists and ensure that journalist human rights defenders are effectively protected from attacks and other abuses both by state and non-state actors. Any crime committed against human rights defenders, including against journalists defending human rights, must be promptly, effectively and independently investigated in a transparent manner, and those responsible must be brought to justice. E. Freedom of peaceful assembly 55. Legislation on freedom of peaceful assembly and related practices must be in full conformity with international human rights standards. Limitations on the right to freedom of assembly can only be imposed if they are based in law and necessary in a democratic society in the interest of one of the specific grounds set out in international human rights standards. In addition, limitations on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly must be proportionate. Authorities involved in drafting or reviewing relevant legislation, as well as those involved in implementing it (including national, regional and local authorities, law enforcement and the judiciary), are encouraged to apply the OSCE/ODIHR-Venice Commission Guidelines on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly. 56. Human rights defenders should not face any limitations on their right to freedom of assembly beyond those that are permissible under relevant international standards. Content-based restrictions imposed only because they convey messages that are critical of the authorities or perceived to be controversial in society are incompatible with these standards. An outright ban of an assembly can be permissible only in very exceptional circumstances as prescribed by international human rights standards. 57. Human rights defenders organizing assemblies should only be required to give prior notification of the assembly where this is necessary to enable the authorities to make arrangements in order to facilitate the assembly and to protect public order, Guidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders 11