A press card is tied not only to the person but to the outlet they are attached to. Art. 38/1-b of the Press Card Regulation says so expressly: where it emerges that the media outlet the holder belongs to does not have, or has subsequently lost, the qualities listed in Chapter Four of the Regulation, the press card is cancelled by the Directorate.
What Are the Chapter Four Conditions?
| Type of outlet | Article | Example conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Newspapers and magazines | Art. 15 | Declaration and receipt, the one-third advertising and quotation limits, regular publication, printing, copy delivery within five days, offering for sale |
| News and photograph agencies | Art. 16 | Regular publication or transmission, 5 journalists on staff, a paid news sales contract |
| Private radio and television | Art. 17 | Broadcasting permission under Law No. 6112, compliance with broadcasting principles, regular broadcasting |
| Internet news sites | Art. 18 | Declaration and receipt, dedication to news purposes, minimum staff numbers, uninterrupted access, original and current content |
What Does "Subsequently Losing" Mean?
The situations met most often in practice:
- Regular publication ceasing at a newspaper (Art. 15/1-e)
- Uninterrupted access breaking down at an internet news site (Art. 18/1-ç)
- Falling below the minimum number of employees at an internet news site (Art. 18/1-c)
- A news sales contract expiring at an agency (Art. 16/1-ç)
- Loss of a broadcasting permission at a radio or television outlet (Art. 17/1-a)
- Delays in the five-day copy delivery (Arts. 15/1-g, 16/1-b)
What Happens After Cancellation?
The final sentence of Art. 38/1 shows the way: once the grounds of cancellation have disappeared, the person seeking a press card must apply afresh. The card does not come back by itself; a new application is made when the outlet meets the condition again.
| Ground of cancellation | Waiting period |
|---|---|
| The outlet losing its conditions (Art. 38/1-b) | None - reapply once the ground has disappeared |
| Breach of press ethics principles (Art. 38/2) | 1 year from the date the card was returned |
| Loss of the criminal-record conditions (Art. 8/1-ç, d, e) | Not issued unless action is taken under Arts. 12 and/or 13/A of Law No. 5352 |
How the Audit Is Done
Under Art. 42 the Directorate checks at intervals whether press cards retain their validity. Media outlets send, on request, approved lists containing the name and surname, title, press card number and contract details of their card-holding employees. The Directorate may also request that professional work be sent during an audit.
Summary
- If the outlet does not have, or subsequently loses, the Chapter Four qualities, the card is cancelled by the Directorate.
- A fresh application may be made once the ground has disappeared; no waiting period is provided for this case.
- The outlet conditions are a continuing obligation, checked through the audit regime in Art. 42.