§ 16-05 Single Event Press Card.
RCNY § 16-05
(a)To be eligible for a Single Event Press Card for a Single Event, an individual must be a member of the press who: i. published, broadcast, or cablecast six (6) or more articles, commentaries, books, photographs, videos, films, or audios within the twenty-four (24) months immediately preceding pre-registration; ii. completed the pre-registration process set forth in subdivision (e) of this section; and iii. timely submitted a completed application for a Single Event Press Card.
(b)An individual must apply for a Single Event Press Card by the following deadlines: i. no fewer than ten (10) days before the Single Event if the Single Event was announced to the public at least two (2) weeks in advance of the Single Event; or ii. no later than two (2) business days after the Single Event was announced to the public for a Single Event scheduled fewer than two (2) weeks in advance; or iii. if there is less than two (2) days' notice of the Single Event or in an exigent circumstance, the application should be submitted as soon as practicable.
(c)Each pre-registration will be valid for up to two (2) years, expiring on January 15 of every odd year. Each Single Event Press Card will be valid for the shorter of the duration of the Single Event or twenty-four (24) hours; provided, however, that MOME may issue a Single Event Press Card for longer than twenty-four (24) hours if the Single Event has a duration of more than twenty-four (24) hours.
(d)A Single Event Press Card bears the name, photograph, and newsgathering organization, if any, that employs the member of the press to whom it is issued, together with other information designated by the Commissioner or head of the PCU.
(e)An individual may i. pre-register by completing an application that includes such 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 pre-registration, sufficient to show that such applicant covered, in person, six (6) or more events occurring on separate days; ii. apply for a Single Event Press Card by providing information that describes the Single Event, including the date(s) and location(s) of such Single Event; and iii. apply for a renewal of a Single Event Press Card upon a demonstration that the Single Event is continuing beyond the expiration of the Single Event Press Card that has been issued to such individual. iv. If the individual is under eighteen (18) years old: (A) the individual may apply for a Single Event Press Card that provides access to a public event of a non-emergency nature or an event sponsored by the City of New York that is open to members of the press; (B) the individual’s parent or legal guardian must provide their consent in writing on a form provided by MOME. The parent or legal guardian’s consent must be submitted with each pre-registration application, each Single Event Press Card application, and each renewal application, and (C) In the discretion of the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s designee, PCU may consider factors such as the individual’s age, nature of the event, the event’s location, event’s duration, space limitations, potential safety risks, available space behind police, fire lines or City barriers, and the impact of space limitations and the safety of individuals required to accompany the Single Event Press Card applicant pursuant to 43 RCNY § 16-06(d), among other factors, when assessing whether to issue a Single Event Press Card to an individual under eighteen (18) years old.
(f)An application for a Single Event Press Card will be granted or denied no later than two (2) business days before the scheduled event, except that in the case of applications submitted fewer than two (2) weeks before the scheduled event, the application shall be granted or denied as soon as practicable. If an application for a Press Card is denied, the applicant shall be advised in writing of the basis for the denial pursuant to 43 RCNY § 16-06.
(g)An individual must appear in person to obtain a Single Event Press Card if their application is granted.
(h)MOME's failure to issue a Single Event Press Card prior to the conclusion of a Single Event that is the subject of an application shall not be deemed to constitute a denial subject to subdivision (a) of 43 RCNY § 16-06 if such application was received fewer than two (2) weeks in advance of such Single Event.
(i)Within three (3) business days of the expiration of a Single Event Press Card, the Single Event Press Card holder must either return the card in person to MOME, mail the card in a postage-paid envelope addressed to MOME, or provide the card to a courier or delivery service for delivery to MOME. MOME will post its address for mail and deliveries of Single Event Press Cards on its website. If such card is not received by MOME and the individual subsequently applies for a press credential, the individual must provide as a condition of receiving a press credential: i. a Verification of Crime/Lost Property Report issued by the New York City Police Department; or ii. proof of mailing or use of a courier or delivery service in a form acceptable to MOME. (Added City Record 12/20/2021, eff. 1/19/2022; amended City Record 2/11/2025, eff. 3/13/2025)
