Who can get a press card?
The press card is issued only at the express request of a person who can prove his capacity as professional journalist.
According to articles L7111-3, L7111-4 and L7112-1 of the labor code: “ A professional journalist is any person whose main, regular and remunerated activity is the exercise of his profession in one or more press companies, daily and periodical publications or news agencies and which draws the main part of its resources from it. »
The labor code further specifies: “Sassimilated to professional journalists the direct collaborators of the editorial staff: editors-translators, stenographers-editors, editors-revisers, reporters-draughtsmen, reporters-photographers, excluding publicity agents and all those who do not contribute, any title whatsoever occasional cooperation. »
Since the origin of the press card in 1936, the law has established that the status of journalist is incompatible with the activities of publicity agents.
Similarly, since October 1964, following an order from the Minister of Information, the press card cannot be compatible with the functions of public relations officer and D’Press officer. In May 1986, a decision of the Council of State declared that the status of journalist was not compatible with that of civil servant or contract public agent either. Persons practicing under the status of self employed also cannot claim press card.
In 2018, 34,890 press cards were issued, of which 53% were for men and 47% for their female counterparts. (Source: CCIJP)
Request the press card
The press card is allocated, or not, after theexamination of a file complete by the Commission for the Identity Card of Professional Journalists (CCIJP).
The commission, responsible for determining theallocation of the press card, is made up of 8 representatives of employers and 8 representatives of professional journalists. 38 regional correspondents are also part of the commission.
Generally, for journalists working year-round within the same press company, the renewal is done collectively. It is then their employer who takes care of the procedures.
For individuals, most often freelancers, the request must be supported by a complete file.
This file aims to prove that the individual applicant meets the 3 mandatory conditions for the award, which are:
- be regularly employed by one or more press companies (written or audiovisual) or an approved press agency;
- have been working as a journalist for at least three consecutive months for the first request;
- draw the main part of its resources from this activity, that is to say, more than 50%.
The file consists of the application form duly done, of copies of articles or of copies of programs TV and radio, a certificate issued by a press company or an approved press agency, of a tax return so that the commission can define whether or not the activity of journalist constitutes the main resource. Regional correspondents may be required to investigate locally on requests from journalists outside the Paris region.
The press card is free. Only are claimed file fees (less than €50), paid half by the requesting journalist and half by the press company that employs him.
What happens in case of fraud?
According to Article L7114-1 of the labor code:
- fraudulent use of a expired or canceled card ;
- obtaining a card on the basis of an inaccurate declaration;
- the delivery by a press medium of a inaccurate certificate
may be punished by a prison sentence of two years and a fine of 3,750 euros.
The same penalty is incurred in the event of the manufacture, distribution or use of a false card.
Our tips:
The press card gives access to many advantages, including a privileged tax regime.