Press Card – A Symbol of New Journalistic Freedom

 

For decades, journalism was a closed fortress. Access to events, press credentials, even the right to call yourself “media” — all of it controlled by large federations, conglomerates, and major outlets. They decided who was “allowed” to document reality, and who wasn’t.

But the world has changed. The internet, social media, new technology, and independent platforms have opened doors for freelancers and independent creators. And that’s exactly why so many in the “old guard” react with anger when they hear about Press Cards issued outside the grip of big institutions.

Why Big Organizations Reject Freelancers

Let’s be honest: organizations like the FIA, FIFA, or IOC don’t really question the quality of freelancers’ work. What they fear is independence. A freelancer isn’t bound by a corporate contract. They’re not tied to sponsors, politics, or editorial agendas. That makes them harder to control — and that’s the real issue. So when they say, “We don’t recognize freelancers,” it’s not about integrity. It’s about defending the status quo.

The Myth of Prestige and the Fall of Old Icons

Young journalists still dream of working for National Geographic or major wire agencies. But the truth is, many of these once-iconic institutions no longer stand for independence or truth. They are entangled in politics, dependent on funding, and often forced into compromises. Freelancers, on the other hand, often show reality exactly as it is — raw, uncomfortable, and uncensored. That’s why they’re seen as a threat. Because the new world doesn’t need corporate blessing. It needs authenticity and courage.

Press Card – Not Plastic, but a Tool of Freedom

Critics love to sneer: “It’s just a piece of plastic, it means nothing.”
Our response: It’s not plastic. It’s a symbol.

The Press ID Card is a tool — it helps with accreditation, opens doors, and makes fieldwork easier. But its true value runs deeper: it is a validation of independence. Proof that a free photojournalist doesn’t need permission to witness history.

Accreditation – Where the Old and New Worlds Clash

Let’s be absolutely clear: no press card guarantees accreditation. Not the ones issued by the biggest organizations, and not independent ones either. Final decisions always rest with event organizers. And this is exactly where the battle between the old and new worlds takes place. Old dogmas block freelancers by denying credentials simply because they are not tied to a major outlet. It’s the last line of defense for a system that is already crumbling. But every freelancer who applies, every journalist who shows up with a Press Card, every independent voice — chips away at that wall. The more people use these cards, the harder it becomes for institutions to ignore the new reality.

The Press Card doesn’t promise miracles. But it offers something far more important: the chance to try, to demand recognition, and to stand as proof that journalism belongs to those who practice it, not just to those accepted by closed networks. Step by step, this persistence is how the new world gains ground over outdated structures.

Don’t Listen to the Voices That Want You Silent

Never listen to those who tell you it’s worthless, that you’ll achieve nothing with it. They want you quiet, because the louder and braver freelancers become, the more the old system collapses. They speak from their own narrow point of view, not from truth.

Their words are not facts — they’re fear and jealousy dressed up as authority. If you never try, if you never explore for yourself, you’ll never see how the real world of photojournalism works. So stop being afraid. Go your own way. Test it, explore, learn if that brings you joy, and discover for yourself what is possible. Those who tell you “it’s worthless” will fade into the background — because they represent no values, only empty talk and envy.

Who’s Afraid of This New Freedom?

The loudest critics are often those chained to old dogmas. The ones who believe prestige makes them superior. They claim the Press Card “has no value.” But the reality is different: it’s their values that are collapsing, because the world no longer accepts monopolies and closed systems. These critics aren’t defending standards. They’re defending their own shrinking turf.

The New Generation Doesn’t Need Conglomerate Approval

Today, young photojournalists have a choice. They can follow the old path — pay for a diploma and wait for recognition “from above.” Or they can pick up a camera, gain knowledge through new channels, build a portfolio, and get to work. A freelancer with a Press Card sends a clear message: “I don’t need your permission. I’m here, and I’m documenting what matters.”

The End of Dogmas

The old world is dying. Conglomerates may try to block freelancers, but they can’t stop the truth. The Press Card is not a meaningless piece of plastic. It’s a hammer smashing the walls of outdated dogma. And that’s exactly why it angers so many. Because it symbolizes a new generation of journalists who no longer need the blessing of compromised institutions to tell the truth.

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Photo by Sandip Roy