The difference between a sub-editor and an editor is debated in practice; but as a matter of legislation the answer is clear: the Regulation lists both in the same sub-paragraph, as alternatives, and does not give their definitions.

Its Place in the Legislation

The wording is the same in all the relevant sub-paragraphs: the news manager or editor or sub-editor or chief.

Type of publicationSub-paragraph
Daily political newspapersArt. 19/1-g
Weekly political newspapers and magazinesArt. 20/1-g
Non-political newspapers and magazinesArt. 21/1-g
Fortnightly and less frequent publicationsArt. 22/1-e
News and photo agenciesArt. 24/1-d
Radio and televisionArt. 26/1-g
Internet news sitesArt. 27/1-g

What Is Legally Decisive?

What is decisive is not the name of the title but the work actually done and the field condition:

  • The field condition — working in one of the 17 news fields, non-political publications aside (Art. 19/1-g and its equivalents)
  • Working in the news field — an express condition for Anadolu Agency (Art. 23/2), TRT (Art. 25/2) and radio-TV (Art. 26/2-f)
  • Actually working — Official Announcements and Advertisements Regulation Art. 18/2-c
  • The quota — according to the type and size of the publication

The Additional Condition in Radio and Television — Art. 26/2-f

No press card is given to those who do not work in the news field, even if they work in the titles listed above.

At Internet News Sites

Art. 27/1-g: internet news manager or coordinator or editor or sub-editor or chief. Here the quartet becomes a quintet with the addition of the coordinator.

What to Do in Practice

  • State the title and the field expressly in the employment contract (for example “economy sub-editor”).
  • Make the staff notification within 3 working days over İLANBİS (Official Announcements and Advertisements Regulation Art. 22).
  • Rely on the sub-paragraph in the list when applying for the press card.
  • Be in a position to document the work actually done at an inspection.

We covered the staff notification in reporting staff changes and the change of title in notifying a job title change.

Conclusion

The sub-editor is an alternative title listed in the Press Card Regulation in the same sub-paragraph as the news manager, the editor and the chief. The Regulation draws no definitional distinction between editor and sub-editor; what is decisive are the conditions of working in one of the 17 news fields (non-political publications aside), actually working in the news field, and the quota.