Section 3: Access to detention facilities

Any journalist holding the professional identity card referred to in article L. 7111-6 of the Labour Code may apply to the competent administrative authority for authorisation to enter a place of detention.This application shall state the purpose, date, duration and conditions of the report. It shall be accompanied by a copy of the applicant’s press card and, where applicable, a copy of an identity document of the persons whose presence…

The administrative authority competent to authorise or refuse a journalist access to a place of detention pursuant to article L. 744-15 is the prefect of the département in which the place of detention is located and, in Paris, the police prefect.

Reasons shall be given for any refusal of access by a journalist to a place of detention.

A journalist’s access to the detention centre must not interfere with its operation or the activities carried out there by the State services and third parties involved. The journalist shall respect the security instructions and conditions of the visit established by the head of the detention centre, his deputy or the person in charge of managing administrative files, or, in a detention facility, by the person in charge of the…

The journalist shall have access, in compliance with health and safety regulations and the privacy of detainees, to premises accessible to detainees as well as to premises made available to contributors, with the latter’s agreement.

When the journalist’s productions are of such a nature as to enable the identification of foreign nationals, staff and those involved in detention facilities, the latter must consent in writing to the broadcasting or use of their image or voice.A minor may only be filmed, recorded or photographed with the joint authorisation of the holders of parental authority or legal representatives. In all cases, journalists must ensure that nothing concerning…