The Law answers this question by reference to the nature of the work, not the job title. Article 1 of Law No. 5953 requires two conditions, and the title is not one of them.
The Law's Two Tests
| Condition | Content |
|---|---|
| Nature of the work | It must be intellectual and artistic work and fall outside the definition of "worker" in the Labour Law |
| Place of work | A newspaper, internet news site, periodical or news/photo agency |
The rest of the article gives the definition: those working for a wage in the intellectual and artistic work within the scope of this Law are called journalists. What matters is not the title but whether the work done is intellectual and artistic work.
The Press Card Regulation Names the Title Expressly
The strongest support for this question comes from another instrument. Article 27 of the Press Card Regulation expressly lists social media editor among the titles that may obtain a press card at internet news sites.
The Regulation also lists titles specific to digital publishing such as video editor, editing operator and internet news manager / editor / sub-editor.
The Scope Changed in 2022
Internet news sites were brought within Law 5953 by Law No. 7418 with effect from 18/10/2022. Before that date the question could not even arise for a digital-only outlet; since then it does. This is covered in the news site article.
What Follows in Practice
If a social media editor falls within the definition, the whole Law 5953 regime applies to them:
- A written, full-time contract stating the nature of the work, the wage and seniority (Art. 4)
- Seniority from first entry into the profession (Art. 6)
- 4 or 6 weeks' annual leave (Art. 21)
- The annual bonus of at least one month's wage (Art. 14)
- Overtime after midnight at double (Add. Art. 1)
Bottom Line
Whether a social media editor is an intellectual worker depends on the nature of the work actually done, not on the title. Where the work is content production at a newspaper, news site, periodical or agency, the person is a journalist under Law 5953. The Press Card Regulation expressly lists social media editor among the titles at internet news sites.