§ 16-03 Standard Press Card.
RCNY § 16-03
(a)To be eligible for a Standard Press Card, an individual must be a member of the press who is at least eighteen (18) years old and who covers, in person: i. emergency, spot, or breaking news events, or public events of a non-emergency nature where police or fire lines, or other restrictions, limitations, or barriers established by the City of New York have been set up for security or crowd control purposes; or ii. events sponsored by the City of New York that are open to members of the press.
(b)Supervisory or managerial personnel of a newsgathering organization may be issued the Standard Press Card if their responsibilities require that they cover, in person, the events specified in paragraphs (i) or (ii) of subdivision (a) of this section.
(c)The Standard Press Card cycle is two (2) years. All Standard Press Cards expire on January 15 of every odd year.
(d)The Standard Press Card must bear the name and photograph of the individual to whom it is issued, and the name of the newsgathering organization, if any, that employs such member of the press, together with other information designated by the Commissioner or head of the PCU. Any additional information designated by the Commissioner or head of the PCU shall be provided on MOME's website.
(e)An individual who is eligible under subdivision (a) or (b) of this section may apply for a Standard Press Card by completing an application that includes the applicant's personal identifying information and the name of the newsgathering organization, if any, that employs the individual. The applicant must submit six (6) or more articles, commentaries, books, photographs, videos, films, or audios published, broadcast, or cablecast within the twenty-four (24) months immediately preceding the Standard Press Card application, sufficient to show that such applicant covered, in person, six (6) or more events occurring on separate days described in subdivision (a) of this section.
(f)An application for a Standard Press Card will be granted or denied no later than thirty (30) days after the applicant submits a complete application for the Press Card. If an application for a Standard Press Card is denied, the applicant shall be advised in writing of the basis for the denial.
(g)An individual must appear in person to pick up a Standard Press Card if their application is granted. If the individual was issued a Standard Press Card during the previous cycle, they must surrender such card in person to MOME. If such card was lost or stolen, they must provide a Verification of Crime/Lost Property Report issued by the New York City Police Department. (Added City Record 12/20/2021, eff. 1/19/2022; amended City Record 2/11/2025, eff. 3/13/2025)
