Subsection 1: Issue and renewal

The professional identity card for journalists may only be issued to persons who, in accordance with the provisions of articles L. 7111-3 to L. 7111-5, are professional journalists or are assimilated to professional journalists.

In support of their first application to the Professional Journalists’ Identity Card Commission, as provided for in Section 2, applicants must provide: 1° Proof of identity and nationality; 2° A curriculum vitae certified on their honour; 3° Bulletin No. 3 of their criminal record dated less than three months; 4° A statement certified on their honour that journalism is their main, regular and paid occupation and that they earn remuneration…

After examination, and under the conditions set out in articles R. 7111-27 and R. 7111-28, the Professional Journalists’ Identity Card Commission decides on applications for the issue of cards submitted to it. It may first carry out or have carried out any checks it deems necessary.

Foreign nationals applying for a professional journalist’s identity card must comply with the provisions of this code relating to the conditions for salaried employment of foreign nationals in France.

The Professional Journalists Identity Card Commission issues a trainee card to anyone who has been in the profession for less than two years.

The professional journalist’s identity card bears the holder’s photograph, signature, surname, forenames, nationality and place of residence, and details of the publications, press agencies or audiovisual communication companies in which he or she works. The card is stamped by the Professional Journalist Identity Card Committee and signed by two of its members, one representing employers and the other employees.

The professional journalist’s identity card is valid for one year. The period of validity is indicated on the card. It may be renewed for the same period by a favourable decision of the Professional Journalist Identity Card Committee.

When renewing a professional journalist’s identity card, the committee will determine the supporting documents to be submitted in support of the renewal application, taking into account the supporting documents already submitted in support of the initial application.

When, through no fault of their own, professional journalists who have held this status for at least two years find themselves temporarily without work, the Commission may issue them with a temporary professional journalist’s identity card, the duration of which is expressly limited. This card differs from the ordinary card only in that there is no indication of the publications, press agencies or audiovisual communication companies in which the holder…

The person concerned is notified of the committee’s decision to refuse to issue or renew the card by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.