The Law sets no minimum frequency. Art. 2(c) of Law No. 5187 defines a periodical as: printed works such as newspapers and magazines published at particular intervals, together with the publications of news agencies and internet news sites.
The Decisive Phrase: "At Particular Intervals"
The definition asks not for frequency but for regularity. Monthly, bimonthly, quarterly or annual - so long as the interval is particular, the publication is a periodical.
The opposite concept is in subparagraph (h): a non-periodical is a printed work such as a book or a gift volume not published at particular intervals.
| Publication | Type |
|---|---|
| A weekly magazine | A periodical |
| A monthly magazine | A periodical |
| A quarterly magazine | A periodical |
| A publication appearing once a year at a particular interval | A periodical |
| A book | A non-periodical |
| A gift volume | A non-periodical |
| An irregular publication with no particular interval | May fall outside the definition |
The Interval Is Shown on the Declaration
When Art. 7 lists the contents of the declaration it includes the item "the intervals of publication". The interval is therefore information declared when the declaration is filed, and if it later changes it is notified within two weeks by a declaration of change under Art. 8.
The Regular Publication Measure on the Press Card Side
Art. 4 of the Press Card Regulation sets a more concrete measure. Regular publication is publication made, save for force majeure, without interruptions in a year exceeding:
| Publication frequency | Maximum interruption in a year |
|---|---|
| A daily periodical | Fifteen issues |
| A weekly periodical | Six issues |
| A fortnightly periodical | Three issues |
| Monthly, bimonthly and quarterly periodicals | One issue |
| News and photograph agencies | A total of two days |
The Frequency Categories in the Regulation
Art. 4 of the Regulation also lists the frequency categories. The definition of regular publication names daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly, bimonthly and quarterly periodicals separately. That shows intervals of up to three months are expressly recognised by the Regulation.
Lapse of the Declaration Right
Art. 9 of Law No. 5187 sets two periods of forfeiture, and they are critical for infrequent magazines:
- If the publication is not published within one year of the date the declaration was filed, the declaration becomes void.
- If publication is interrupted for three years after it has begun, the declaration becomes void.
Summary
- The Law asks for no minimum frequency; what matters is that publication is made at particular intervals.
- The interval is shown on the declaration and a change is notified within two weeks.
- For press card purposes a regular publication measure also applies: monthly, bimonthly and quarterly publications may miss at most one issue in a year.