Answers to the most important questions about GNS Press can be found here. Feel free to browse; you will learn many new facts about GNS Press and you will be positively surprised by many: serious background, own news service, accepted in Germany, Europe and overseas. By the way: GNS Press members now originate from more than 40 countries throughout the world. For specific questions, please contact us by e-mail: GNS Press - Service

The GNS Press Association is an officially registered press and journalist association, registered in the Corporate Registry (reg. no: PO2000133258) and officially registered in Germany. GNS is a sustaining member of the EUCJ (European Chamber of Journalists) and has been recognised by this organisation. Only renowned press agencies, journalists, newspaper publishing companies and schools are members of this association. Information available here: EUCJ Committed colleagues of all walks of life as a journalist obtain their accreditation from GNS and value the special service.

With approximately 8‘000 members, GNS Press is one of the largest and independent international associations for journalists. GNS members hail from all fields of the media world, are highly integrated into journalistic work and are responsible for a multitude of press reports. GNS Press has been working as journalist association since 1991 and is a member of many organisations.

It depends on your commitment and efforts and how much time you intend to invest. Other deciding factors are whether you are working regularly or only occasionally and what the quality of your work is. On the other hand: many journalists are using press documents to do research (some doors open easier for representatives of the press). It is impossible to predict how much you will actually be earning as a journalist.

The press card is re-issued every year, the press sign for cars is equipped with an annual stamp (extension). This service is included in the service fee (36.00 Euros per year). Depending on the time you register with GNS Press, only the pro-rated service fee will be charged for the current year.

As a service orientated career and branch representative, the GNS Press Association is developing amongst other things as press portals, journalistic databases, recommendations for start-ups, career models and contract specimens. GNS Press is an innovator, provider of ideas and know-how pools for Journalists. A diversity of consultation services, a PDF library, issuing of international press cards, job offers, media supply, homepages, trade literature and much more complete our considerable service offer. You will receive assistance concerning concrete work methods, for example how you can work successfully as a part-time journalist. A membership with GNS also means: powerful representation of your interests, strong networks, unbureaucratic, comprehensive and competent service. 

Official press cards never existed. It is a rumour preferably spread by misinformed journalists who allege to be in the possession of an official press card. The name official press card is simply misleading. Whoever argues that a 'standard federal' or 'official' press card exists is wrong. As a matter of fact: no office or authority issues press cards. In most democratic countries, press cards are not issued by an official office or authority to make sure that the freedom of press guaranteed by the state is not challenged. For good reasons, the legislator never regulated which association is permitted to issue press cards. Linking the issue of the card and the resulting examination by governmental offices is not intended due to the freedom of press and the associated free reporting. Therefore, the cards are issued autarkic by various industrial and professional associations. This means: no association is entitled to the exclusive issue of press cards.

The fascination with the press sign in the car is almost as strong as the one with the much sought-after press card. What is it all about? Indeed it may happen that journalists are spared from fines thanks to a press sign in their car. Especially in media-friendly cities, this is more common. Mind you, this is an observation rather than a (legal) entitlement. The press sign for cars is intended to make working easier (e.g. to be able to pass road closures for reporting purposes). As well, organisers often grant the free use of specially designated parking spaces. This way, journalists have the privilege of using preferred parking spaces. However, when using the press sign for cars, the Road Traffic Act must be complied with.

The press sign may only be displayed in the car for journeys directly associated with journalistic activities. The press sign is only valid in connection with a press card and will have the same colour scheme as the press card. It contains fields to attach the annual stamp and the press stamp for the current calendar year. In addition, the press card number is also written on it.

The press card is essentially a tool to conduct your work. This tool legitimises you as representative of the press and helps you conduct your activities in a more professional manner. Sometimes, you will be invited to attend events, press conferences or trade shows as a journalist. The press card gives you the necessary status for this purpose.

Economically priced cars, press discounts, a VIP seat at the next federal league game, etc. It is possible that in individual cases a journalist is using his press status in such a smart way that he is granted special conditions as a result. Will he be required to provide a service in return? One glance into the media landscape suffices to realise: most of this has nothing to do with objective reporting any more. Press card holders may receive a variety of discounts. For example, numerous companies are granting press discounts. But there is no binding or even legal obligation to do so.

Press cards are not for sale – at least not at GNS Press. You will receive your press card within the scope of the GNS membership, whereby the press card is only one of several included service components. The complete GNS Press performance range by far exceeds the issue of a press card. More information is available - here -

The status of a registered representative of the press and the press documents help you improve your reputation. As a committed journalist, you will always be welcome. Your opinion counts, after all, you are a representative of the press and media. With some luck you will gain access to social circles and events that were inaccessible to you before. You are almost guaranteed a look behind the scenes, provided you are doing a good job.

Welcome by whom? If anything, not by peers who are working full-time as employed journalists and therefore view any part-time journalists as undesirable competition. But you can live well with this fact. If you wish to interview the Federal President you will be out of luck, exactly like 99.5 percent of all journalists too. A press card opens doors, but not all of them. However, if you behave in a confident manner in society, the industry and culture, many doors will open up for you.

Irrespective of whether you are working as a full or part-time journalist: the quality of your work is the deciding factor. As a matter of fact: part-time journalistic work is often just as valuable as the one of a full-time editor.

No problem: the database of GNS displays all ID numbers associated with the status of a registered journalist, reporter or press photographer in a few moments. If an inquiry is made, confirmation that you are working as a registered GNS journalist will be issued.

There is no legal entitlement for being granted access to a trade show or event as a journalist. For example, if the organiser only invites press photographers but no word journalists, there is hardly anything you can do about it. Your journalistic activities are another deciding factor: if you succeed in plausibly explaining to the organiser how you intend to report about the event, there should not be any problems. Use the agent login to find out how to succeed in gaining access to trade shows and events (even after a rejection). By the way: if you visit and research for example a car show, it is definitely possible that you are doing so with the intention of writing about it. Even if nothing comes from it: you have been working as a journalists. How many articles (including those written by professionals) end up in a drawer and are never read or published?