Reciprocity appears in two separate places for foreign media members, and in both it can change the outcome.
The First Place: The Press Card
After listing the three conditions required of foreign media members, Art. 9 of the Press Card Regulation ends: where those conditions are met, a press card of the appropriate type may be issued by the Directorate, having regard also to the principle of reciprocity.
The same expression appears in Additional Art. 4 of Law No. 5187: where the conditions are present, a press card may be issued by the Directorate having regard also to the principle of reciprocity.
The Second Place: Responsible Editorship
Art. 5 of Law No. 5187 lists six conditions for being a responsible editor, and subparagraph (f) is: for those who are not Turkish citizens, to seek the condition of reciprocity.
| Condition | Content | Subpara. |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Having completed eighteen years of age | a |
| Residence | Having a place of residence in Turkey and residing there permanently | b |
| Education | At least secondary education or its equivalent | c |
| Capacity | Not being under legal incapacity or barred from public service | d |
| Record | Not having been convicted of disgraceful offences | e |
| Foreigners | Seeking the condition of reciprocity | f |
What Does Reciprocity Mean?
The essence of the concept: granting a right to a foreigner is made dependent on the same or a similar right being granted to Turkish citizens in the country of which that foreigner is a national.
Where Reciprocity Does Not Appear
Some provisions make no reference to reciprocity at all; there the prohibition is absolute:
| Issue | Rule | Can reciprocity overcome it? |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent press card | Cannot be issued to foreign media members (Art. 14/3) | No - absolute |
| Press traffic card | Not issued to foreign media members (Art. 44/3) | No - absolute |
| Staff of foreign representations | No card may be issued to the publishing staff of foreign representations in Turkey (Art. 7/2) | No - absolute |
| Fixed-term and temporary press cards | May be issued where the conditions are met (Art. 9) | Reciprocity is taken into account |
| Responsible editorship | The condition of reciprocity is sought for foreigners (Art. 5/f) | Reciprocity is a condition |
A Similar Logic in Work Permits
The third paragraph of Art. 6 of International Labour Force Law No. 6735 opens a different but related door: foreigners who, under other statutes or under bilateral or multilateral agreements or international conventions to which Turkey is a party, are stated to be able to work without obtaining a work permit, may work without one under this Law.
Art. 16 also grants exceptions to certain categories, among them citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and citizens of European Union member states. We cover it in the exceptional assessment guide.
Before Applying
- Document the three conditions in Art. 9 fully - assignment, work permit, letter of introduction.
- Know that meeting the conditions does not guarantee the card; the article says "may be issued".
- If you are considering responsible editorship, assess the reciprocity condition in Art. 5/f of Law No. 5187 separately.
- Check whether there is a bilateral agreement concerning your country.
- In case of doubt, obtain a written opinion from the Directorate of Communications.
Summary
- Reciprocity is a measure of assessment taken into account in a foreign media member's press card application: even where the conditions are met, a card "may be issued having regard also to the principle of reciprocity".
- For responsible editorship it is a direct condition under Art. 5/f of Law No. 5187.
- The prohibitions on the permanent press card and the press traffic card are absolute and cannot be overcome by reciprocity.