Inspection boards are the supervisory organ of the official announcement legislation. Article 95 of the Regulation on Official Announcements and Advertisements defines their task in a single sentence: to inspect and establish whether periodicals concerned with the publication of official announcements and advertisements fulfil the duties and qualifications imposed by the Regulation in time and without deficiency.
What is inspected in newspapers
Article 95(2)(a) lists the powers concerning newspapers. Inspection is not limited to the newspaper itself; it extends to the whole chain.
- Gathering information: the roster, print runs, the distribution list to newsagents, sales and return figures and any sales made by subscription.
- On-site examination: the operations and records of the printing house, distribution undertakings and the secondary and final-point newsagents attached to them, and of places where paper is sold.
- Content checks on the archive.
What is inspected in online news sites
Sub-paragraph (b) lists four headings for online news sites: examining all information and documents concerning the roster, the hosting provider, the content published and user visitor traffic data.
| Heading | What is looked at |
|---|---|
| Roster | Minimum number and breakdown, contracts, social security and tax accruals |
| Hosting provider | The hosting contract and invoices |
| Content | Minimum daily news count, content qualities, date stamp |
| Visitor traffic | Unique visitors, page views, direct traffic share, time on page |
That the hosting provider falls within the scope of inspection overlaps with the masthead obligation: Article 4(3) of Law No. 5187 requires the name and address of the hosting provider to appear in the masthead of online news sites.
Obtaining information from third parties
Sub-paragraph (c) widens the scope: inspection boards are empowered to obtain the information and documents they need, in relation to the subject of the inspection, from official institutions and organisations and from natural and legal persons.
Sub-paragraph (ç) grants a general power: to carry out any research and examination for the performance of the duties given to them and, where necessary, to take any information and documents relating to the inspection.
Read together, those two make clear that your statements can be verified from independent sources: social security records, printing house invoices, newsagent records and hosting contracts.
After the inspection: the report process
Article 103 sets the timetable after an inspection:
| Step | Period |
|---|---|
| The inspection board draws up the report | 15 working days at most from the date the inspection was completed |
| The Directorate General refers the report to the relevant directorate | 2 working days at most |
| Proceedings on the referred reports | 15 working days at most |
| The decision is sent to the publication | 7 working days (Art. 107(8)) |
Where doubt arises the Directorate General may request a supplementary report, or may itself assess and decide the matter on points it establishes.
Inspection expenses
Inspection expenses are regulated in Article 96. In particular, where an inspection board inspection is ordered under Article 111 for the resumption of the right to publish, the newspaper or online news site is liable to pay those expenses from notification of the inspection decision.
Similarly, under Article 109(2), establishing that a waiting period has been completed is done by an inspection carried out upon a signed request and payment of the inspection fee.
Conclusion
Inspection boards check whether the duties and qualifications imposed by the Regulation are fulfilled in time and without deficiency. For newspapers, the roster, printing, distribution, sales and archive content may be examined, and on-site examinations carried out at the printing house, distributor and newsagents. For online news sites, the roster, the hosting provider, the content and visitor traffic data are examined.
Which documents must be ready is covered in the documents guide, the consequence of obstruction in the obstruction guide and objections in the objection guide.