Section 2: Access to the waiting area

Any journalist holding the professional identity card referred to in article L. 7111-6 of the French Labour Code may apply to the competent administrative authority for authorisation to enter a waiting area.Any application must 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 for persons whose presence is…

The administrative authority competent to authorise or refuse a journalist access to a waiting area pursuant to article L. 343-7 is the prefect of the département in which the waiting area is located and, in Paris, the police prefect.

Reasons shall be given for any refusal of access by a journalist to a waiting area.

A journalist’s access to the holding area must not interfere with its operation and the activities carried out there by State services, and third parties involved, in particular transport companies and infrastructure operators. Journalists must respect the safety instructions and conditions of the visit established by the person in charge of the waiting area or their representative.

The journalist shall have access, with due regard for health and safety regulations and the privacy of persons held in the waiting area, to premises accessible to them and to premises made available to third parties carrying out an activity in the area with their agreement.

When the journalist’s productions are of such a nature as to enable foreign nationals, staff and those working in waiting areas to be identified, they 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 the…