The minimum roster for newspapers varies between 3 and 14 people depending on category. Article 38 of the Regulation on Official Announcements and Advertisements sets the number, the breakdown and the duties together, and all three are binding.
The minimum roster category by category
| Category | Total | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Category | 14 | 1 responsible editor, 1 news editor, 4 page secretaries, 6 reporters, 2 columnists |
| 2nd Category | 11 | 1 responsible editor, 1 news editor, 3 page secretaries, 5 reporters, 1 columnist |
| 3rd Category | 6 | 1 responsible editor, 1 page secretary, 3 reporters, 1 columnist |
| 4th Category | 5 | 1 responsible editor, 1 page secretary, 3 reporters |
| 5th Category | 4 | 1 responsible editor, 1 page secretary, 2 reporters |
| 6th Category | 3 | 1 responsible editor, 1 page secretary, 1 reporter |
The article also gives alternative titles in brackets: managing editor may be used instead of responsible editor, news desk chief instead of news editor, and art director or page editor instead of page secretary.
Two thresholds stand out: a news editor is required only in the 1st and 2nd Categories, and a columnist only in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. In the 4th, 5th and 6th Categories the roster consists of a responsible editor, a page secretary and reporters.
The editor-in-chief exception
The second paragraph of Article 38 allows some flexibility: newspapers in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Categories may employ an editor-in-chief in the minimum roster in place of one person serving in the reporter posts.
That exception is not granted for the 5th and 6th Categories. Since the number of reporters in small newspapers is already one or two, the aim appears to be to protect that post.
A special rule for national newspapers
The third paragraph introduces an important exception: national newspapers must employ the number and duties of editorial staff specified for the 1st Category.
The residence condition
Under Article 18 the editorial staff on the roster must reside in the place of publication. Staff other than the responsible editor may reside outside it provided they remain within the administrative boundaries of the same province and neighbouring provinces; in national newspapers the residence condition is not sought for at most four members of staff.
In those cases the Agency decides whether the duty can be performed continuously, taking distance and public transport into account. Residence is determined by the primary address in the national population register.
The quality of the roster
Alongside the number and the breakdown there are qualification conditions. Article 18 requires contracts to be written and full-time in conformity with Law No. 5953, wages to be paid in advance over a full day and a full month, the duty to be actually performed, social security and tax accruals to be made within the statutory period, and the persons concerned to carry on no activity outside journalism.
Who may and may not appear on the roster is covered in the eligibility guide.
Conclusion
The minimum roster for newspapers is 3 in the 6th Category, 4 in the 5th, 5 in the 4th, 6 in the 3rd, 11 in the 2nd and 14 in the 1st. In the 1st to 4th Categories an editor-in-chief may replace one reporter; national newspapers are subject to the 1st Category roster regardless of place of publication.
A separate table applies to online news sites — see the online news site staffing guide.