This is the unit a journalist deals with most at the Directorate of Communications: press cards and accreditation come from this department.
The Department's Duties
Art. 7 of Presidential Decree No. 14 lists the duties:
| Subpara. | Duty |
|---|---|
| a | To provide every kind of open information, domestic and foreign, within the scope of State promotion and information services |
| b | To compile and evaluate the information obtained, turn it into bulletins and publications, preserve the compiled information and documents, and provide the necessary technical services and equipment |
| c | To deliver the bulletins prepared to the relevant institutions and organisations and disseminate them to the public |
| ç | To carry out and coordinate the accreditation of domestic press organisations and their members, to take and apply measures facilitating the work of domestic press members, and where necessary to establish permanent and temporary press centres |
| d | To organise activities for the purpose of strengthening the national, regional and local press |
| e | To issue press cards to the members of Turkish and foreign press and broadcasting organisations |
| f | To carry out work on reflecting the activities and services performed effectively to the public and on determining their effect on public opinion |
| g | Where necessary, to organise the Presidency's press conferences and disseminate its statements and announcements |
The 2020 Amendments
Accreditation and Press Centres
Subparagraph (ç) contains two separate functions:
- Accreditation - carrying out and coordinating the accreditation of domestic press organisations and their members
- Press centres - establishing permanent and temporary press centres where necessary
Strengthening the Local Press
Subparagraph (d) treats organising activities for the purpose of strengthening the national, regional and local press as a duty. The same duty is also given to the provincial organisation: Art. 5/ğ of the Regional Directorates Regulation provides for regional directorates to carry out research and make proposals on strengthening the local press and increasing news sources.
Its Connection with the State Information System
Art. 4 of the Directive on the Use of the State Information System defines the phrase "Department" as the Department of Press and Publications. So assessing applications for the system is this department's work. We cover it in the State Information System guide.
The Press Card Chain
The card process is shared between the centre and the provinces:
| Stage | Who | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Receiving the application and keeping the file | The Regional Directorate | Regional Directorates Reg. Art. 5/g |
| Sending the application to the Directorate | The Regional Directorate | Regional Directorates Reg. Art. 5/g |
| The condition check | The Directorate | Press Card Reg. Art. 29 |
| The decision to accept or refuse | The Press Card Commission | Press Card Reg. Arts. 33, 35 |
| Issuing the card | The Department of Press and Publications | Presidential Decree No. 14 Art. 7/1-e |
We cover the role of the regional directorates in the regional directorates guide.
Summary
- The Department of Press and Publications provides information, prepares bulletins, carries out the accreditation of the domestic press, establishes permanent and temporary press centres, strengthens the national, regional and local press, and issues press cards to Turkish and foreign press members.
- The duty of issuing cards was expressly added in 2020 by Presidential Decree No. 66.