PRESS CARD PROVIDERS IN COMPARISON.
Journalist, press photographer, reporter, newsmaker, spokesman: no matter which profession in the journalistic world you are in, sooner or later you will be confronted with the question which career association is the best for a membership. The question is of relevance because the membership in an association and a press card are also valid proof of your activity as a journalist (press cards are issued by agencies or career associations). Newcomers and potential part-time journalists often have problems to appraise memberships and the services resulting therefrom. The following checklist gives a compact overview on the topic of 'Association membership'.

European Press Federation

Know what the score is in 60 seconds:

In comparison to other associations and organisations the EPF e.V. is especially open to those people who work as journalists part-time. The EPF is bringing new values into the traditional association scenario and you can profit from this!

 
EPF e. V.
 • Neutral, independent organisation
Yes
 • International career association
Yes
 • Open for part-time journalists
Yes
 • Promotion of online journalism conditionally
Yes
 • Part-time representatives of the media welcome
Yes
 • Open for newcomers
Yes
 • Small yearly membership fee
only 48 Euro
 • Official press sign for vehicles inclusive
Yes
 • Membership certificate inclusive
Yes
 • CD Perfect publications inclusive
Yes
 • Unbeaurocratic issue of press card
Yes
 • Proof of competence
random sample
 • Immediately ready for use
Yes
 • International press card version
Yes
 • Issue of a press ID-Card
Yes
 • Representation of interests throughout Europe
Yes
 • Open for freelance representatives of the media
Yes
 • Over 400 cooperations (special conditions)
Yes

About the membership fees:

Several journalist trade unions demand up to 1 percent of a journalist’s income as a subscription. With the EPF the membership fee is only a fraction of the usual fees. Another advantage: The EPF is an independend association and the membership fees are kept at a steady price.


What associations and trade unions hide from journalists

Many journalistic trade unions often fondly refer to official or officially recognised press cards which are allegedly only available from trade unions or publisher associations. Don’t be fooled by this: these and similarly sounding declarations are mostly incorrect. Because, in many democratic countries the press is not state controlled and therefore the issue of press cards is not 'officially' organised. People making such declarations are more interested in their own benefits and enforcing their own price policies.


What only a few people know:

Publisher associations or trade unions often prove themselves to have double standards when it concerns the issue of press cards. Regularly employed journalists receive a press card even when their sole journalistic activity is doing the filing in the basement. A copy of their work contract is sufficient, or even easier a couple of lines dashed out by the chief editor claiming their employee to be working as a journalist. Freelance journalists or part-time journalists on the other hand are victimised: suddenly they need to prove a minimum income in order to orientate themselves around the standards the trade unions are fighting for. This serves solely to exclude these groups from receiving a press card.

Furthermore, in order to prove comprehensive journalistic activities, copies of publications are required… Reason for this victimisation: Trade unions cannot enforce collective bargaining policies when they take in freelance journalists and representatives of the media. That is much easier with full-time and regularly employed journalists. Therefore a blind eye is often turned. Ultimately it is all about power and clout for the trade unions and similar associations. If you are also fed up with this situation, you are welcome at the EPF.