How to become a journalist in the Mediterranean countries?

More and more are those who choose to pursue journalism as a future profession. In fact, there are many courses of study which, year after year, are increasingly created ad hoc: the media sector is expanding more and more thanks to new technologies, attracting many aspiring journalists, often with different backgrounds.

But, along the Mediterranean countries, is just the title of studies enough to make a journalist such? Or are there laws that regulate this career, which must be referred to if one intends to pursue this profession? What requirements must be met to obtain a license to practice this profession? Let’s find out, country by country.

Becoming a journalist in the Mediterranean countries: Italy

In Italy, in order to practice as a journalist, it is necessary to register with the Order of Journalists: it supervises the activities and conduct of its members, protecting them legally. In the FAQ section of the Order’s website, the important difference between professional journalists and publicists is first of all illustrated.

As explained, in fact, “professionals are those who exercise the profession of journalist exclusively and continuously; publicists are those who carry out non-occasional and paid journalism even if they exercise other professions or jobs”.

Professional journalists, to be recognized as such, must:

• carry out 18 months of apprenticeship and, in addition, attend one of the theoretical preparation courses, even “remote”, with a minimum duration of 45 hours, promoted by the National Council or by the Regional Councils of the Order. Alternatively, they must have attended one of the journalism schools recognized by the National Council of the Order of Journalists for two years;
• pass the professional qualification exam.

To be recognized as a publicist in Italy, on the other hand, one must “have carried out a regularly paid journalistic activity, for at least two years”.

Spain

Spain also has its own Order of Journalists, the FAPE, or the Federación de Asociaciones de Periodistas de España. According to what was explained by the federation, “those in possession of a three-year or master’s degree in Information Sciences, Journalism or Audiovisual Communication will be able to access the FAPE Professional Register of Journalists and the accreditation card”. Those interested in pursuing this career, therefore, must necessarily possess a dedicated academic qualification.

France

As explained by Le Figaro, in France “no specific training is required. However, attending journalism school makes it easier to find work”, since “students will discover their strengths, learn together with expert journalists, occupy all the editorial positions, will participate in competitions organized by the main media”.

However, the existence of the CPNEJ, or the Commission paritaire nationale de l’emploi des Journalistes, must be taken into account: since 2008 it has established criteria on the basis of which journalism schools must build their own educational programme. Since it is a perpetually changing profession, in fact, the program must follow this evolution in parallel. The schools are public and private: the updated list is freely available on the Commission website.

Principality of Monaco

In the Principality of Monaco there are few properly Monegasque newspapers, television and radio broadcasts: for this reason, it will not be unusual to see French newspapers circulating; likewise it will be common to witness television and radio broadcasts arriving from the neighboring state. The only communication-related study course taught at the International University of Monaco concerns broad-spectrum communication, touching topics far from the editorial side, such as marketing.

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia

According to the report on the employment conditions of journalists in Eastern European countries, signed in 2015 by Radomir Cholakov of the South-East European Partnership for Media Development, in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia “there is no regulation by law of the profession of journalist”.

As the report explains, “the constitutions of those countries proclaim “freedom of speech/opinions” and “freedom of the press” as fundamental values, therefore journalistic work, as a way of expressing opinion, is open to all without prejudices and preconditions. In the legislation of the aforementioned countries there is no legal definition of “journalism” or “journalist”. Nor are there any registration requirements for the exercise of the journalistic profession”.

Slovenia

In Slovenia, according to the Mass Media Act, there is a difference between a professional journalist and a freelance journalist. To register in the Slovenian mass media register, a professional journalist will need to:

• carry out journalism as a sole or main occupation;
• give proof of their publications in the mass media;
• not be interdicted from exercising such activities.

A freelance journalist, on the other hand, will acquire his status “by enrollment in the register of freelance journalists at the competent ministry, following the opinion expressed by one of the organizations of registered professional journalists”. Finally, at the Department of Social Sciences of the University of Ljubljana, there is a study course in Journalism.

Croatia

In order to practice the profession of journalist in Croatia, there is no formal prerequisite: from belonging to an editorial masthead to obtaining a certain degree. However, a journalism course was recently established in Zagreb at the Faculty of Political Sciences.

Malta and Turkey

Even in Malta and Turkey there are no particular laws that regulate the profession of journalist, or that highlight what prerequisites an aspirant to this career must possess. However, an university degree in journalism can be obtained at ta’ Malta University and at three universities in Istanbul: Bahcesehir University, Üsküdar University, finally Kadir Has University.

Cyprus

Anyone wishing to be recognized as a journalist in Cyprus must obtain the card provided by the Press and Information Office. Among the necessary requirements, it will be necessary to practice this profession, earning a living with it, to be employed by a mass media organization operating in Cyprus, as a manager, editor-in-chief, editor, correspondent, photojournalist, etc. Furthermore, there is a dedicated course at the Cyprus International University.

Siria

The Syrian press and state are currently in a tense situation. The news sector is regulated by the National Media Council (Al-Majlis al-watani li’l-i’lam), and there are strict prerequisites to obtain a journalist’s license, or even just to take this path. It is not certain whether there are university courses dedicated to this profession.

Lebanon

As explained in the art. 1 relating to the Lebanese publication law, “anyone wishing to become a journalist must meet a number of requirements in order to be able to enter the profession. This includes possession of Lebanese citizenship and at least the Lebanese baccalaureate – second part or equivalent”.

Furthermore, the article goes on to explain how one must “have effectively and continuously practiced the profession of journalist for at least four years from the acceptance of his candidacy for the Press as a trainee. Holders of a degree in journalism are exempt from training. However, holders of a bachelor’s degree or diplomas other than journalism must be subject to a year of training.”

Palestine

The profession of journalist in Palestine is linked to the concept of the Press Card. However, as explained by the government itself, it serves to “assist those involved in media work in Israel and abroad, among other things by facilitating entry to press conferences and courtrooms; but it’s not a work license and […] it’s not a condition of working with the media and that applying for one is not a requirement”.

This card can be requested by both local and foreign journalists; among the requirements there is “the intention of the media organization with which [the journalist, ed] works is to hire him in Israel for a period of at least one year; freelancers must demonstrate that they arrived in Israel upon request of the average organization for the provision of services for a period of at least one year, based on an explicit contract”; this contract will be presented when requesting the Press Card.

Israel

In Ramat Gan, on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, there is the Bar-Ilan University: here it is possible to obtain a degree in Communication. However, this course of study extends to other fields, such as diplomacy: therefore, it is not a course specifically designed for journalists, but allows the students to explore further disciplines.

Egypt

Since 1976, a law created for the press has been in force in Egypt: it requires that freedom of expression must be guaranteed in a responsible way, prohibiting censorship; however, this law mentions multiple restrictions as regards making criticisms of public offices, providing for gradual penalties, from fines to imprisonment. There is a study course dedicated to journalism: it is provided by the British University in Egypt.

Libya

In Libya, as well as in Syria, there is a situation of instability and ambiguity between the state and the press. The lack of laws regulating publications or, again, how to exercise this profession is denoted: for this reason, despite several attempts made (such as, for example, by UNESCO in 2015), few steps have still been taken to get out from this stalemate.

Tunisia

Those who want to practice journalism in Tunisia must meet certain requirements: first of all, the possession of a degree (or equivalent diploma); it will also require job stability, which includes journalism as a regular activity and main source of income. These condition could prove slightly more difficult for those who use social media and blogs as a work tool: the situation remains slightly ambiguous, although since 2013 the benefits of journalists have also been extended to this category of workers.

Algeria

It is not clear whether there are laws in Algeria regulating this profession; however, in Algiers, there is the High National School of Journalism and Information Sciences (ENSJSI): it is in turn divided into two departments, one dedicated to information science and one to journalism, thus allowing its study.

Marocco

As explained by the Moroccan Ministry of Communications, who practices journalism must be in possession of the Press Card: it is obtained after having practiced the profession for at least two years. The Ministry, however, warns about the proper use of this card, under penalty of withdrawal: “acts contrary to morality”, going against journalistic ethics, and finally violating the Press Code, must not be committed.