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Press pass for YouTubers and content creators

YouTubers, TikTokers, Instagram reporters and other video creators can apply for the FJA press card if they publish journalistic content regularly – news, explainers, reviews, interviews or documentaries. Entertainment-only channels and pure advertising do not qualify.

Video is now one of the main ways people get news, but most traditional press card schemes were built for print and broadcast. Here is how creators can qualify for a press card, how to use it for interviews and events, and which rules apply to filming in the UK.

Apply for your press card Check the requirements

Press pass for YouTubers and content creators: FJA press card, sample data

Which creators qualify for a press card?

The format does not matter. The journalism does.

Journalistic channels

News, politics and current affairs channels
Independent product, film, music or game reviews
Interview formats and documentaries
Local reporting, event coverage and vlogs from news situations
Explainers and fact-checking

Not journalistic

Pure entertainment, pranks or gaming streams without reporting
Accounts that mainly publish sponsored content
Channels without regular uploads
Re-uploads of other people’s content

What we look at

Subscribers are not a criterion.

We do not set a minimum number of subscribers or views. If we have questions, we may ask for your channel link and two or three recent videos that show journalistic work – for example a report from an event, an interview or an in-depth review. A channel description explaining your topics and how to contact you, and clear labelling of paid partnerships, make your channel more credible to organisers too. The Advertising Standards Authority expects influencers to make clear when content is an ad.

Filming rules every creator should know

A press card does not change the law – but it helps you explain what you are doing.

Public places

The Metropolitan Police states that no permit is needed to film or photograph in public places and that police have no power to stop filming of incidents. Private property – shopping centres, stations, venues – can set its own rules.

Privacy and data

People have a reasonable expectation of privacy in some situations, and data protection law applies to identifiable people. The journalism exemption in the Data Protection Act 2018 only applies where publication is reasonably believed to be in the public interest. Be careful with children and vulnerable people.

Drones

For drone footage you need a Flyer ID or Operator ID from the Civil Aviation Authority and must follow the Drone Code.

Music and copyright

Background music and clips are protected by copyright. Check licences and fair dealing before you publish. See freedom of panorama for buildings and sculptures.

Getting into events as a creator

More organisers accredit creators – but on their terms.

Gaming expos, tech launches, film festivals and many music events now have creator or influencer categories, while others focus on traditional media: Wimbledon, for example, has been reported as not offering an influencer accreditation category. Apply early, explain what you will publish and when, share audience figures honestly and attach your press card number. Treat any tickets or invitations as working access, label gifted items, and never promise coverage in exchange for access. More: press accreditation and media pass for events.

Keeping journalism and paid partnerships apart

Many creators earn money from brand deals. That is fine – as long as viewers can always tell the difference.

Label every paid partnership

Use the platform’s paid-partnership tools and say it out loud or on screen at the start of the video. Do the same for affiliate links and gifted products. Viewers, press offices and platforms all expect it.

Keep editorial decisions yours

A sponsor may pay for a segment, but not for your verdict in a review or your choice of topics in a news video. If a partner insists on approving content, treat it as advertising, not journalism.

Separate the formats

Some creators run a clearly marked series for sponsored content and keep news, explainers and reviews separate. It makes your channel easier to judge – for viewers and for us when we check an application.

What to bring to an event

Being well prepared matters more at events than any card.

Your accreditation confirmation – printed or on your phone – and your press card.
A short description of your channel and the planned video, ready to show to stewards or the press team.
The organiser’s filming rules: where you may film, whether tripods or gimbals are allowed, and any restricted zones.
Consent forms or a clear verbal routine for interviews, especially with members of the public.
Spare batteries, storage and a plan for uploading or backing up footage.
The press office contact for questions on the day.

After the event, send the organiser the link to your video. A short thank-you with the result makes it much easier to get access next time – see also press credentials.

Frequently asked questions

Can YouTubers get a press pass?

Yes, if they publish journalistic content regularly, such as news, reviews or interviews. The FJA press card has no minimum subscriber count.

Do influencers count as journalists?

Only when they produce journalistic content. Pure advertising, lifestyle promotion or sponsored posts are not journalism for the purposes of our card.

Do I need a permit to film in public in the UK?

No permit is needed to film in public places, according to the Metropolitan Police. Private property owners can set their own rules.

Will a press card get me into gaming or film events?

It supports your accreditation request. Organisers decide who gets access, often based on audience, coverage plans and relevance.

Can TikTok or Instagram creators apply?

Yes. The platform does not matter as long as the content is journalistic and published regularly.

Do I need to be 18?

Yes. The FJA press card is only for adults aged 18 or over.

Do I need a minimum number of subscribers?

No. We do not set a follower or subscriber minimum. We look at whether your videos are journalistic – researched, sourced and made to inform – and whether you publish regularly.

Can I get a press card for a TikTok or Instagram account?

Yes, if the account publishes journalistic content such as news explainers, reports or interviews. Short formats are fine. Accounts that mainly promote products, services or personal lifestyle content do not qualify.

Will brands treat me differently with a press card?

They may see you as a publication rather than an advertising channel, which can open up review copies or interviews. Keep that trust by labelling any paid work clearly and never using the card to ask for free products.

Sources and last review

Last reviewed: October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.