Recent claims that the press cards of those working for some media outlets have been cancelled do not reflect the facts.
All press card procedures are conducted by the Republic of Turkey’s Directorate of Communications in compliance with the Press Card Regulation.
In addition to first press cards or permanent press cards, application for a new press card might be necessary due to reasons such as general card replacement, loss, damage, change of organization or return to the profession.
The Press Card Application System of the Directorate of Communications is currently active and receiving applications.
The subsequent assessment process is carried out scrupulously in a way that protects the press card’s reputation and prestige.
Within this scope, a thorough examination is carried out to decide whether or not the applicant satisfies the “conditions for press members to be granted a press card” laid down in the Press Card Regulation.
Since the establishment of the Directorate of Communications, 13,372 press members, whose assessment process has been completed, have received their press cards.
This figure includes media employees with various titles working for national or local media outlets.
The number of applications currently being assessed is 894.
In this process, various criteria are taken into consideration besides technical criteria, such as whether or not the applicant is really engaged in professional activity, s/he is affiliated with any terrorist organization, and s/he has a verdict of conviction or attitudes damaging professional dignity.
Cancellation is not a matter of discussion for the cards whose assessment process is currently ongoing.
Applications for press card renewal, which have not been completed, are still active.
Therefore, the claim that the cards of those working for some media outlets have been cancelled is definitely unrealistic.
There may be individuals from every media outlet who have received new press cards, as well as those whose assessment process is ongoing.
There are people, who have received new press cards, at the media outlets claiming that their employees are not issued press cards. Even this fact nullifies this malevolent attempt.
Necessary notifications will be made to applicants once their assessment process is completed.