Accreditation

Journalists, including photographers, camera operators and other media representatives who wish to be in the buildings of the House of Representatives for the purposes of their work require accreditation. This means that they receive official authorisation to report on parliamentary and political activities in (the secured section of) the House of Representatives building. In granting accreditation, the Presidium applies the following framework.

Definitions

As guidance in defining the terms journalist and (recognised) mass medium, the House of Representatives has taken the definitions used by the Netherlands Association for Journalists (NVJ) on their website. To qualify for accreditation for the House of Representatives, journalists must therefore practice journalism as their main profession and must have an employer/client statement confirming their journalistic work. Journalists shall uphold editorial independence and avoid any conflicts of interest, or appearance thereof. Another key principle is journalists must practice journalism for a (recognised) mass medium.

A recognised mass medium is defined as any medium that targets a large part of the general public and is available to everyone. Additionally, said medium must largely provide news, analysis, commentary and/or background information about a range of parliamentary and non-parliamentary news and current events. Clients may be asked to provide an editorial code of practice setting out the ground rules for the independence of their editorial department.

Permanent accreditation

A journalist can qualify for permanent accreditation if he or she:

  • is generally present in the House several days a week to report on parliamentary and political activities in the House of Representatives;
  • works for a parliamentary/political editorial department, defined as a separate editorial team at a recognised mass medium that reports on parliamentary and/or political activities;
  • works for a medium that is editorially independent. Permanent accreditation will not be granted to non-journalists, lobbyists, consultants or others with ancillary activities that the Presidium deems irreconcilable with permanent accreditation as a journalist. This means, for example, that an applicant may not work for, on behalf of or under the direction of a parliamentary group, political party or movement, whether full-time or part-time;
  • certifies that he or she will observe the guidelines for recording in the buildings of the House of Representatives (the “Guidelines for journalists on sound and image recording”, as published on the website of the House of Representatives);
  • certifies that he or she will observe the rules for visitors of the House of Representatives. Journalists in the buildings of the House shall not create disturbances and shall observe the rules for visitors of the House of Representatives. All those present shall at least follow the instructions of the President and the civil servants of the House, the police and other supervisory officers;
  • submits a completed application form with an official statement from the editorial board or the head of the parliamentary or political editorial department and provides valid proof of identity. Additionally, freelance journalists who work on behalf of a recognised mass medium may be asked to prove that journalism is their main profession and source of income, as evidenced by the employer and/or client statement and by proof of registration with the Chamber of Commerce.

In deciding whether to grant permanent accreditation, the capacity of and the order in the building of the House, and the the proper functioning of the House are considered. A granted permanent accreditation is strictly personal and not transferable to others. Guests of journalists with permanent accreditation may not practice journalism in the House.

If a journalist switches employer, the new employer must apply for a new permanent accreditation for access to the buildings of the House of Representatives. This new request must once again meet the conditions of the House of Representatives for granting a permanent accreditation.

Students

Students who do a work placement at a parliamentary editorial department, qualify for permanent accreditation for the duration of the work placement after providing a letter of assignment from the editorial board/department. Students are also required to provide a certificate of good conduct (VOG).

Day accreditation

The House of Representatives also facilitates journalists who occasionally wish to report on plenary debates and committee activities in the House of Representatives or on events or activities organised by the House of Representatives. Day accreditations are only granted for days on which sittings or activities of the House of Representatives or its committees take place, based on the official schedule of the House of Representatives. Day accreditation is valid only on the day of issue. A journalist can may qualify for day accreditation if he or she:

  • works for a medium that is editorially independent. Day accreditation will not be granted to non-journalists, lobbyists, consultants or others with ancillary activities that the Presidium deems irreconcilable with day accreditation as a journalist. This means, for example, that an applicant may not work for, on behalf of or under the direction of a parliamentary group, political party or movement, whether full-time or part-time;
  • submits a letter of assignment from the client, for example the editorial board or the head of the parliamentary editorial department, and provides valid proof of identity. Additionally, freelance journalists who work on behalf of a recognised mass medium may be asked to prove that journalism is their main profession and source of income, as evidenced by the employer and/or client statement and by proof of registration with the Chamber of Commerce.
  • certifies that he or she will observe the guidelines for recording in the buildings of the House of Representatives (the “Guidelines for journalists on sound and image recording”, as published on the website of the House of Representatives);
  • certifies that he or she will observe the rules for visitors of the House of Representatives. Journalists in the buildings of the House of Representatives may not create disturbances and shall observe the rules for visitors of the House of Representatives. All those present shall at least follow the instructions of the President and the civil servants of the House, the police and other supervisory officers;
  • applies for day accreditation at least 24 hours in advance by submitting a completed application form, unless that cannot be expected of the applicant due to current events or other exceptional circumstances. Late submission may be a reason for rejection.

Furthermore, day accreditation is granted to editors, including copy editors, who require occasional access to the House for indirect journalism(for example for research purposes) on days on which sittings take place (from Mondays to Thursdays) under the following conditions:

  • the journalist works for the editorial department of a print or online newspaper, journal or magazine and writes background articles or works for the editorial department of an existing radio or television programme.
  • the (copy) editor is investigating a topic or theme of current interest, under discussion in the House of Representatives.
  • day accreditation does not grant permission to the (copy) editor to use audio/audiovisual recording equipment.

Other provisions

The House of Representatives does not grant accreditations or other facilities for the production of fiction, i.e. recordings for TV shows, commercials, live action historical documentaries or motion pictures.

In special circumstances, a day accreditation can be granted to non-journalists. In deciding whether to grant day accreditation, the capacity of and the order in the building of the House, and the the proper functioning of the House are considered. Day accreditation is strictly personal and not transferable to others. Journalists with day accreditation are not permitted to bring guests, whether accredited or not.

The House of Representatives reserves the right to change or withdraw granted accreditation at any time in the event that the accreditation conditions are not or no longer met. In the event of a dispute, parties may refer the matter to the Secretary General.