The Parliamentary Justice Committee approved an additional 14 articles of the Legislative Proposal Amending the Press Law and Further Laws, including regulations on social media and internet journalism.
According to the approved articles of the proposal, online news sites are also included in the definition of periodicals.
The regulation also includes definitions for an online news site, Director of Communications, Directorate of Communications, Press Card Commission, media member, and information officer.
The workplace address, business name, electronic mail address, phone number, and electronic correspondence address, as well as the name and address of the hosting provider, will be kept in the "contact" section of online news sites so that users can directly access this information from the home page on their websites.
The date of a content's initial appereance on online news sites and the date of its next update will be indicated on the content in a manner that does not change with each access.
To ensure rapid and effective notification of press announcements and publication ban decisions by judicial bodies, the declaration required for the publication of periodicals will now be submitted to the Press Announcement Agency rather than the Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor.
The electronic correspondence address will also be included in the registration declaration.
Press Announcement Agency may request the suspension of publications
The sanction of publication suspension will not be applied to online news sites. If an online news site fails to comply with the provision, the Press Announcement Agency will request that the online news site correct any deficiencies or false information within two weeks. If the request is not fulfilled, the Press Announcement Agency will apply to the criminal court of first instance to determine that the qualifications for an online news site have not been met. The court will render a verdict within two weeks at the latest.
If the application is approved, the official announcements and advertisements that can be placed on online news sites, as well as the employees' press card rights, will be revoked. The revocation of the powers granted to the online news site will not prevent the imposition of the sanctions specified in this or other relevant legislation.
Obligation to store and submit
The contents of the online news site will be accurately and thoroughly stored for two years, and if necessary, will be submitted to the Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor.
If the online news site receives written notice that the publication is being investigated and prosecuted by judicial authorities, it will be required to retain the record of the publication under investigation and prosecution until the conclusion of the proceedings is notified.
Press card application, attributes and types determined
This proposal also defines the press card application, as well as the attributes and types of press cards. According to the proposal, press card applications will be submitted to the Directorate of Communications. The press card will be acknowledged as an official form of identification.
Who is eligible for a press card?
Press cards may be issued to press members who are citizens of Türkiye and work for media outlets operating in Türkiye, owners of periodicals or representatives of legal entities and chairpersons of radio and televisions, foreign press members who act on behalf of media outlets and whose area of responsibility includes Türkiye, and foreign press members who come to Türkiye temporarily for reporting purposes and whose area of responsibility does not include Türkiye, Turkish-citizen owners and employees of media outlets broadcasting abroad, press members who are citizens of Türkiye and work as freelance journalists in other countries, public officials working in public institutions and organisations serving in the field of media and information and public officials assigned to information services of public institutions and organisations, and executives of unions, associations, and foundations deemed to be operating in the public interest, providing they operate in the field of media.
To apply for a press card, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have graduated from high school or an equivalent educational institution, and not be restricted or barred from public service.
Foreign press members who request a press card may be granted one by the Directorate on the basis of reciprocity and on the condition that they certify that they are assigned by a media outlet, that they have a work permit in accordance with International Labour Law, and that they present a letter of introduction received from the embassy, diplomatic mission or consulate in Türkiye of the country where the headquarters of the organisation they are affiliated with is located.
Press Card Commission
The Press Card Commission will consist of 9 members. In addition to two members representing the Directorate, a member to be determined by the union with the highest number of members holding a press card among the unions operating as a labour union, and a member to be determined by the Directorate from among the deans of the communication faculties or journalists holding a press card will take place in the Commission.
The terms of office for the members will be for two years. Members whose term has expired may be re-elected.
The Commission will evaluate the applicant's qualifications, professional career, works, and awards before deciding whether or not they should be granted a press card.
Accordingly, if it is determined that the owner of the press card does not have or has lost the qualifications specified in the legislation, the press card will be revoked by the Directorate of Communications.
In case the press card holder behaves in violation of the press moral principles, the Press Card Commission may issue a warning based on the nature of the offence, or it may decide to cancel the press card.