Yes, it is compulsory. Under Article 29 of the Regulation on Official Announcements and Advertisements, newspapers and online news sites must carry on their activities in premises allocated to the practice of the profession of journalism. The provision covers both types of publication — physical premises are required for online news sites too.
Four conditions for the premises
The second paragraph lists the qualities the premises must have:
| Condition | Content |
|---|---|
| Area | At least 5 square metres of working space per person, in proportion to the editorial staff declared on the roster |
| Equipment | The presence of the technical equipment the editorial staff will use to carry out the profession of journalism |
| Allocation | No other professional activity or commercial business incompatible with journalism being carried on there; and the premises not being used at the same time as a dwelling |
| Signage | A sign bearing the name of the newspaper or online news site hung somewhere visible |
Five square metres per person: a calculation tied to the roster
The area condition is not a fixed figure but a calculation tied to your roster. At least 5 m² per person is required, in proportion to the number of editorial staff declared.
| Roster | Minimum working area |
|---|---|
| 4 people (5th Category site) | 20 m² |
| 6 people (4th Category site) | 30 m² |
| 8 people (3rd Category site) | 40 m² |
| 14 people (1st Category newspaper) | 70 m² |
| 32 people (General Category site) | 160 m² |
It cannot be used as a dwelling
The third condition brings two prohibitions together: no other professional activity or commercial business incompatible with journalism may be carried on in the premises, and they may not be used at the same time as a dwelling.
That provision excludes a practice frequently encountered in newly established online news sites: publishing from home. A home address cannot be shown as premises. Equally, setting aside a corner of an office where another commercial activity is carried on does not satisfy the condition — the premises must be allocated.
The condition carries the same logic as the rule in Article 18 that editorial staff must carry on no activity outside journalism: allocation to the profession is required of both the person and the place.
The signage condition
The fourth condition is the easiest to meet and the most often skipped: a sign bearing the name of the newspaper or online news site must be hung somewhere visible.
Premises and residence are different things
Two frequently confused subjects must be separated. Article 29 regulates the premises; Article 18(3) regulates the residence of editorial staff.
On the residence side the rule is that editorial staff reside in the place of publication or quota location; staff other than the responsible editor may reside outside it provided they remain within the administrative boundaries of the same province and neighbouring provinces, and the maximum number benefiting from that exception is set by category.
The detail is covered in the minimum roster guide.
What happens on inspection?
The premises condition is among the items directly observed in an on-site inspection by an inspection board: the area is measured, the equipment seen, the sign checked and the question asked whether the place is used for another purpose.
Unlike other conditions it therefore cannot be closed with a document; the actual situation must comply. See the inspection scope guide.
Conclusion
Newspapers and online news sites wishing to publish official announcements must have premises allocated to the profession of journalism. At least 5 m² of working space per person in proportion to the roster, the necessary technical equipment and a visible sign are required; the place may not be used for another commercial business or as a dwelling.
The accounting arrangement is covered in the bookkeeping guide and the sectoral ledgers in the sectoral ledger guide.