Is a person working in the TRT news unit deemed a journalist, and can they obtain a press card? Both questions are answered expressly in the legislation.
The Definition of a Journalist Covers TRT
Art. 4/h of the Press Card Regulation, in defining a journalist, lists three groups:
- Those working for a fee in intellectual and artistic work within the scope of Law No. 5953,
- Those working in the news units of radio and television stations established within the scope of Law No. 6112,
- Those working in the news units of the Turkish Radio-Television Corporation.
The Titles That May Obtain a Press Card - Art. 25
Art. 25 of the Regulation lists in four subparagraphs the titles at TRT that may obtain a press card:
| Subpara. | Titles |
|---|---|
| a | The chair and members of the board of directors |
| b | The director general and deputy directors general, heads of department/board, the secretary general, channel coordinators, TRT directors and radio directors |
| c | Deputy heads of department/board, deputy secretaries general, deputy channel coordinators, news coordinators, radio coordinators, deputy TRT directors, deputy radio directors, managers, deputy news coordinators, deputy managers, overseas representatives, desk officers and broadcast supervisors |
| ç | Personnel of the Turkish Radio-Television Corporation charged with production and broadcasting within the scope of Law No. 2954 and Art. 548 of Presidential Decree No. 4 |
The Most Important Limit
A Convenience: Art. 10/3
Art. 10 of the Regulation governs the post-linked press card. The third paragraph recognises an exception: the condition stated in subparagraph (f) of the first paragraph of Art. 8 is not required in the applications of those requesting a post-linked press card through the Turkish Radio-Television Corporation.
Art. 8/1-f requires the following condition: having made a contract in conformity with the provisions of Law No. 5953 and having worked without a break of more than one month from the date they left work, apart from compelling reasons.
The Other Conditions Are Required
The remaining subparagraphs of Art. 8/1 apply to TRT employees as well:
- (a) Having completed the age of 18
- (b) Being a graduate of at least a high school or an equivalent educational institution
- (c) Not being under a restriction or barred from public service
- (ç), (d), (e) Not having been convicted of the offences listed
- (g) Not engaging in commercial activity outside media activity
We cover all the card conditions in the press card guide.
Three Forms of Employment at TRT
| Status | Legislation it is subject to | Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| Civil servant | Law No. 657 + Law No. 2954 Art. 50 | Law No. 2954 Arts. 56/A-56/D + the Discipline section of Law No. 657 |
| Contracted personnel against an established post | Law No. 2954 Art. 50/g (Amended: No. 7548 - 2025) | Law No. 2954 Arts. 56/A-56/D |
| Personnel subject to private law provisions | Turkish Code of Obligations No. 6098 + Law No. 2954 Arts. 50/h and /ı (Amended: No. 7548 - 2025) | The contract provisions determined by the Board of Directors |
We cover the detail in the employment rights guide and the Law No. 7548 guide.
Does Law No. 5953 Apply?
We cover the Law No. 5953 regime in the employment rights guide.
What Is Your Work Subject To?
| Issue | Basis |
|---|---|
| The press card | Press Card Regulation Art. 25 - working in the field of news is a condition |
| Employment rights | Law No. 2954 Arts. 50-56 and the personnel regime of public economic establishments |
| Discipline | Law No. 2954 Arts. 56/A-56/D |
| Broadcasting principles | Law No. 2954 Art. 5 + Law No. 6112 Art. 8 |
| Liability arising from a broadcast | Law No. 2954 Art. 28 - the action is against the Corporation |
| Overtime | Law No. 2954 Art. 52 and additional Art. 1 |
| Domestic travel allowance | Law No. 2954 Art. 50/j - up to twice the equivalent daily allowance |
Summary
Those working in TRT news units fall directly within the Press Card Regulation's definition of a journalist and may obtain a press card in the titles listed in Art. 25 of the Regulation. The paragraph added in 2024 sets a limit: no press card is issued to those not working in the field of news. In applications made through TRT the condition of a contract in conformity with Law No. 5953 is not required; the other conditions are. The personnel are subject not to Law No. 5953 but to Law No. 2954 and the personnel regime of public economic establishments.