It must be acknowledged, that for the most part European journalism cannot be accused of xenophobia, racism, anti-Semitism or intolerance. In practice, however, reporting and commentaries too regularly resort to stereotyping and display ignorance and bias. The kind of poor journalism may amount to no more than isolated incidences of misjudgement in the heat of the newsroom. Journalists' mistakes, however, are made in public and are likely to have an impact on both opinion and policy. Too many errors, even if unrelated, can have a cumulative effect.
Journalism can rapidly turn, even if unwittingly, into propaganda.
One way of insuring against this is to devise ways of identifying what is wrong, and of preventing mistakes being repeated, as well as recognising good journalism and encouraging its practice. This means there is even greater reason for journalists to discuss issues surrounding the reporting of ethnic minorities, and to consider what actions to take to ensure all individuals and groups, whatever their cultures, are fairly represented. The emphasis is now firmly on newsroom decision-making, journalism practices and ethics. Journalists properly remain vigorous in defence of their 'freedoms'. They are suspicious of attempts by States, intergovernmental organisations and others outside journalism to either prescribe or proscribe for journalism.