Press Cards: Editors' Guide
Criteria for card-holders
A card-holder must be working professionally as a newsgatherer who needs to identify himself or herself in public. A card is issued on the basis that it can be withdrawn if the Society considers that the holder has become ineligible or has used the card in a way likely to bring the scheme into disrepute through misrepresentation or dishonesty.
The card is valid for a maximum of 2 years and is renewable thereafter as instructed by the newspaper.
*The applicant must not currently hold any other press card from another issuer i.e. an NUJ card. This is to avoid having more than one card per person in circulation.
Applying for a card
Application forms can be download from our website.
The application form should be completed by individual applicants and authorised by a senior editorial or management representative. The form should be completed in full and returned to Stacy Haertel at The Newspaper Society.
There is a fee of £9.60 per card for newspapers in membership of the Newspaper Society and a fee of £20.40 for non-members. Payment can be made by cheque, credit card or via BACs. All applications should be accompanied with the correct payment or proof that payment has been made. Cheques should be made payable to The Newspaper Society.
Please ensure that each applicant encloses a good quality photograph of passport size, taken against a light background.
Cards are generally issued within five working days of receipt of application. In the event that a card is required urgently this should be specified, stating the reason. A 72-hour ‘turn around’ period is generally the minimum possible.
All cards will be sent to the editorial/management representative elected to deal with press cards for the company.
Freelances
Applications from freelances can be accepted if the application form is countersigned and accompanied by a letter from the editor or managing director of the newspaper certifying that the applicant is a responsible person who meets the agreed criteria.
Lost or stolen cards
Companies should advise the Society in writing as soon as possible with regard to lost or stolen cards. Letters must be accompanied by the relevant fee to cover the cost of a replacement card (members £9.60; non-members £20.40).
Changes to details
Requests for amendments to details - eg, job title, surname, photograph - should be made by the card-holder in writing. Payment to cover the cost of the new card should accompany the letter.
Card renewals
Press cards are valid for two years - the expiry date is shown on the card. The newspaper will be contacted approximately one month before current cards are due to expire and will be asked to indicate which cards are to be renewed for a further two years, and which cards are to be deleted. Any changes to current details - eg, job titles, photographs, surnames - should be indicated at this time. Editors should ensure that cancelled and expired cards are destroyed in order to prevent the circulation of duplicate cards.
Freelancers should make an application in writing to The Newspaper Society, accompanied by a letter from the editor or managing director certifying that the applicant is a responsible person who continues to meet the agreed criteria for the press card.
A fee of £9.60 (Newspaper Society members) or £20.40 (non-members) will be required for each card that is to be renewed.
When a card-holder leaves
When an employee in possession of a press card issued by the Newspaper Society leaves a newspaper their card should be returned to the Society as soon as possible for cancellation. It is the responsibility of the editor to ensure that staff relinquish their press cards.
If the employee moves to another newspaper, a new application for a press card must be submitted by that paper along with the relevant fee.
Fake press cards
There are several types of fake press cards being offered on the internet so please ensure that your newsgatherers have a bona fide, recognisable card issued by a gatekeeper within the UK Press Card Authority Ltd.