The institutional frame of the press and information field in Turkey changed in 2018. The core text of the present structure is Presidential Decree No. 14.
The Identity of the Decree
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Presidential Decree on the Organisation of the Directorate of Communications |
| Number | 14 |
| Official Gazette | 24/7/2018 - No. 30488 |
Art. 1 gives the purpose: to govern the principles and procedures relating to the establishment, organisation, duties and powers of the Directorate of Communications, a general-budget body attached to the Presidency.
What Did It Replace?
The Decree took the place of an abolished structure. Art. 122 of Decree-Law No. 703 repealed Decree-Law No. 231 of 8/6/1984 on the Organisation and Duties of the Directorate General of Press and Information; the date of entry into force is 9/7/2018.
We cover it in the BYEGM era guide.
Ten Service Units
Under Art. 5 the Directorate consists of the following service units:
| # | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Department of Public Diplomacy | - |
| 2 | Department of Strategic Communication and Crisis Management | Added: Presidential Decree No. 66 (Official Gazette 18/9/2020-31248) |
| 3 | Department of Press and Publications | - |
| 4 | Department of Public Relations | - |
| 5 | Department of Translation | - |
| 6 | Department of Personnel and Training | Amended: Presidential Decree No. 92 (Official Gazette 19/2/2022-31755) |
| 7 | Department of Support Services | Added: Presidential Decree No. 92 |
| 8 | Department of Information Technology | - |
| 9 | Department of Strategy Development | - |
| 10 | Legal Counsel Office and Private Secretariat | Private Secretariat added by Presidential Decree No. 66 |
The Articles That Concern Journalists Directly
| Article | Subject | What it means for a journalist |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 7 | Department of Press and Publications | Accreditation and issuing press cards |
| Art. 8 | Department of Public Relations | Freedom of information applications and CIMER |
| Art. 14 | Anadolu Agency | The contract and audit relationship |
| Art. 15 | The Promotion Fund | Examining and submitting projects |
| Art. 19 | The power to make arrangements | The basis of the regulations and directives |
| Art. 22 | Overseas and provincial organisation | 19 regional directorates - where applications are received |
Constitutional Court Annulments
| Article | Annulment decision |
|---|---|
| Art. 3 (Duty) | The Constitutional Court's decision of 18/1/2024, E.2022/93, K.2024/9 |
| Art. 14 (Anadolu Agency) | The second and third sentences - the decision of 30/12/2020, E.2019/71, K.2020/82 |
| Art. 17 | The words "...management..." were annulled |
| Art. 22 (Overseas and provincial organisation) | The decision E.2018/134, K.2021/13 |
| Related to Art. 14 | The decision E.2020/88, K.2023/224 |
The Amending Decrees
- Presidential Decree No. 33 (Official Gazette 19/4/2019-30750) - an amendment to Art. 14
- Presidential Decree No. 66 (Official Gazette 18/9/2020-31248) - adding the Department of Strategic Communication and Crisis Management and the Private Secretariat, amendments to Arts. 7 and 8, and the addition of the provincial organisation paragraphs
- Presidential Decree No. 92 (Official Gazette 19/2/2022-31755) - the reorganisation of the Department of Personnel and Training and the addition of the Department of Support Services
The Instruments It Underpins
Presidential Decree No. 14 is the basis of many subordinate instruments in the press field:
| Instrument | Basis article |
|---|---|
| The Regulation on the Duties and Powers of the Regional Directorates | Arts. 19 and 22 |
| The Directive on the Use of the State Information System | Art. 19 |
| The Anadolu Agency Audit Directive | Art. 14 |
| The Presidency Communication Centre (CIMER) Regulation | Art. 3/3 |
| The Service-Stamped Passport Directive | Art. 3/1-h |
Summary
- Presidential Decree No. 14 governs the establishment, organisation, duties and powers of the Directorate of Communications, a general-budget body attached to the Presidency.
- The Directorate consists of ten service units; press cards and accreditation sit in the Department of Press and Publications, freedom of information and CIMER in the Department of Public Relations.
- Some provisions of the Decree have been annulled by the Constitutional Court.