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Presseausweis & Press Card:
Informieren Sie sich - Hier - |
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Coronavirus: Journalists, press passes & special rights*
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Authorities should be prepared to support representatives of the press. After all, journalists and press photographers have to investigate local issues and gain a picture of the situation, even where lockdown measures and limitations on leaving home are in place. Exhaustive press coverage can be guaranteed only if unlimited freedom of movement is granted. |
Special entitlements: Are journalists subject to lockdown restrictions?
Are local investigations and photography (press photographs) allowed?
Can journalists by-pass country-specific regulations?
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• Meeting interviewees on the ground
• Local investigations
• Exploring and observing locally
• Taking press photographs
• Obtain background information
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• Local interviews (p.e. with public officials)
• Neighbourhood surveys
• Preparing press reports in the locality
• Conversing with colleagues in the locality
• Taking local weather photography |
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In the event of police or authority checks: show a valid reason
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It is not necessary to present a special permit for journalistic activity. Journalists, reporters, press photographers and cameramen/women are of course permitted to carry out their professional activity without restrictions. Reportage is a valid reason and thus is exempt from lockdown restrictions in most cases. If public officials express doubts as to professional activity, journalists must be able to make a plausible case for their presence in a locality. ‘Authorities’ German’: In the event of a check, the person being monitored shall provide duly substantiated grounds.
Representatives of the press may practice their profession at any time – as can other professionals. It is a condition however that journalistic activity should be presented to authorised third parties clearly, unambiguously and plausibly - that is, credibly. Journalists must be prepared and carry certification (e.g. authentication from the editorial office, press accreditation, press pass, editorial pass, etc.). Journalists may move freely and are not obliged to obtain permits from the (competent) authorities in order to perform their work. Tip: Use the digital press pass with QR code, which enables the downloading of an automatic on-line confirmation.
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Crossing country borders with a press pass?
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France, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark and Luxembourg: contrary to the current general guidelines on refusal of entry, journalists may still cross borders for the purpose of doing their work (similar to professional commuters with a commuter credentials, who qualify as an exception). On request, professional reasons must be credibly presented, and in this situation, the press pass may no longer be enough on its own. However, there is no ban on practising journalistic activity; entry should still be possible where valid reasons exist. For such purposes, GNS members may also receive editorial authentication in certain circumstances. Tip: Use the digital press pass with QR code, which enables the downloading of automatic on-line authentication.
However there is no guarantee that a border crossing will be permitted. This means that cases will be judged individually: decisions will depend on authentication of reasons (e.g., essential practice of one's profession). During the crisis, administrative guidelines can however change fairly quickly.
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*Special note: Information is general and relates to the situation as at April 2020 in respect of German regulations. There are no uniform provisions across Europe. Depending on country, region or district there may be different arrangements in place that relate to type, scope and actual undertaking of journalistic activity. Restrictions on journalistic activity are possible.
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