Deputy PMs, non-journalists able to get press cards

Turkey's deputy prime ministry post will be equipped with all the benefits Turkish journalists who have indefinite press cards enjoy, according to a new amendment recently made by the Prime Ministry Directorate General of Press and Information (BYEGM).

Deputy prime ministers will have all the rights defined for indefinite press card holders within the new amendment. The indefinite press card is given only to journalists with 20 years of experience in the media sector.

The new amendment also will allow non-journalist employees of state-run media institutions such as the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) and the Anadolu Agency to get press cards, an unprecedented move in Turkish history.

The criteria to form the committee authorized to issue press cards for eligible journalists was also changed with the new amendment. The BYEGM will have more bearing on decisions, as it will have the right to assign most of the members of the committee rather than the previous two members, which have consisted of representatives from several journalism organizations for about 50 years.