In columnist writing the key to the press card lies in two words: column and periodic.
The Two Conditions in the Sub-Paragraph
Having their own column and writing periodically; the leader writer and the writer.
| Condition | What it means | How it is documented |
|---|---|---|
| Their own column | A section of the publication allocated in the name of the writer | The published issues / page images |
| Periodic writing | Writing at regular intervals | A list of pieces together with their publication dates |
The Role of the Commission
Press card applications are assessed by the Press Card Commission. We covered the composition of the Commission and its procedure for meeting in separate articles:
The Position of the Writer Title by Type of Publication
| Type of publication | Writer title | Sub-paragraph |
|---|---|---|
| Daily political newspapers | Yes | Art. 19/1-ğ |
| Weekly political newspapers and magazines | Yes | Art. 20/1-ğ |
| Non-political newspapers and magazines | Yes | Art. 21/1-ğ |
| Fortnightly and less frequent publications | Yes | Art. 22/1-f |
| Internet news sites | Yes | Art. 27/1-ğ |
| Agencies, TRT, radio-TV | No | — |
The Writer in the Official Announcement Staff — The 2025 Amendment
Official Announcements and Advertisements Regulation Art. 18/2 (Added sentence: Official Gazette 10/12/2025-33103): the conditions in sub-paragraphs (d) and (e) of the second paragraph are not required of those employed as writers.
| Sub-paragraph | Condition | For writers |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 18/2-d | Not engaging in a commercial business from which they will derive a benefit and not carrying on activity outside journalism | Not required |
| Art. 18/2-e | Residing in the place of publication or the quota place | Not required |
Art. 18/3 (Added: Official Gazette 10/12/2025-33103): those employed as writers are not included in that number and the residence condition is not required of them.
The Conditions That Still Apply
Writers are exempt from sub-paragraphs (d) and (e); but the other sub-paragraphs of Art. 18/2 apply:
- a) that the employment contract comply with Law No. 5953 and be written and full-time
- b) that the wage be paid in full and in advance, over a full day and a full month
- c) that they actually do the work corresponding to the duty in the contract
- ç) that the social security notifications and tax accruals be made within the legal period and in full
The Relationship with the Staff Prohibition
Official Announcements and Advertisements Regulation Art. 20/2: the close relatives of the owner and the managers may not appear in the staff — but those who hold a press card as intellectual workers are outside that prohibition.
Conclusion
Two conditions are required for a press card in columnist writing: having one’s own column and writing periodically. The Regulation does not set a numerical equivalent for periodicity; the assessment belongs to the Press Card Commission. In the official announcement legislation, by the amendment of 10/12/2025 writers were exempted from the commercial activity and residence conditions and placed outside the residence quota.