Yes - but subject to three qualifications. The Regulation deals with this in a dedicated subparagraph.
The Text
Art. 7/1-f of the Press Card Regulation: a press card may be issued to the officers of unions and of associations and foundations determined to act in the public interest, provided they operate in the media field.
The same rule appears in subparagraph (f) of Additional Article 2 of Law No. 5187.
Three Qualifications
| Qualification | Content |
|---|---|
| 1. The organisation's field | It must operate in the media field |
| 2. Extra condition for associations and foundations | It must have been determined to act in the public interest |
| 3. Who | The card goes to officers - not to all members or employees |
Who Counts as an "Officer"?
Professional Organisations Are Not Covered
The second paragraph of the same article imposes a prohibition: no press card may be issued under this Regulation to the personnel and employees engaged in publishing activities of professional organisations having the character of public institutions.
| Type of organisation | Position | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Union operating in the media field | A card may be issued to its officers | Art. 7/1-f |
| Association - in the media field and in the public interest | A card may be issued to its officers | Art. 7/1-f |
| Foundation - in the media field and in the public interest | A card may be issued to its officers | Art. 7/1-f |
| Professional organisation with the character of a public institution | No card may be issued | Art. 7/2 |
The General Conditions Still Apply
The subparagraph is a scope provision; it does not displace the general conditions in Art. 8. The applicant must have completed 18 years of age, have graduated from at least a high school or equivalent institution, not be under legal incapacity or barred from public service, and not have been convicted of the offences listed in the article.
Professional Press Organisations Have a Separate Role
Professional press organisations appear elsewhere in the card regime: Commission membership. Arts. 30/1-b, (c), (d) and (f) provide that some Commission members are designated by professional organisations and unions.
Art. 4 defines a professional press organisation as the associations, foundations and unions formed by the employees, owners, representatives of legal persons or board chairs of media outlets, and the umbrella bodies they form.
They Are Also a Source of Information
Under Art. 29 the Directorate may also request information and documents about applicants from professional press organisations. So these organisations both designate members and serve as a source of information.
Summary
- Officers of unions operating in the media field, and of associations and foundations that operate in the media field and are determined to act in the public interest, may be issued a press card.
- No card may be issued to the publishing staff of professional organisations having the character of public institutions.
- The general conditions in Art. 8 - including (f) and (g) - apply to this group as well.