Journalists and other media personnel whose work requires access to the Scottish Parliament may apply for media accreditation.

There are two options for accreditation to the Scottish Parliament.

• Full media accreditation for regular access to the Parliamentary complex.

• Media day-pass accreditation which allows access on a pre-arranged date to attend a specific event.

If you require regular access to the Parliament you should apply for full Media Accreditation.

The Media Day-Pass system allows occasional media access to the parliamentary complex to report on items of parliamentary business or a specific event.

Freelance media who require accreditation are required to demonstrate that their work is likely to be used by a news organisation. As such, a supporting signature of an Editor / Head of News / Pictures Editor / or equivalent will be required when applying for accreditation.

All accredited media are required to adhere to the Media Access: SPCB Terms and Conditions rules.

All accredited media are required to adhere to the Scottish Parliament’s Code of Conduct for journalists and other media personnel.

To enquire further on how to apply for full or day accreditation please contact:

Joanna Tod
Assistant Media Relations Officer
Telephone 0131 348 6852
email: joanna.tod@scottish.parliament.uk

Media Day-Pass: ID requirements

Once the Media Relations Office has approved a media day pass application, the following identification or combination of identification must be presented on arrival at Holyrood. No pass will be issued unless acceptable ID is shown.

Forms of acceptable ID are:

Any one of the following:
• UK driving licence
• UK passport

Or a combination of two of the following:
• Bank/building society statement or cheque guarantee/credit card
• Utility bill
• Council tax statement or payment book

Please note that an NUJ card is not an acceptable form of ID.

Media passes must be clearly displayed on your person at all times while you are in the parliamentary complex.

Media Day-Passes are only for use within the Parliamentary complex and MUST be returned to the public entrance, where you will be required to sign out, before you leave. On NO occasion can passes be removed from the building, this includes for the purpose of short breaks.

Any individual who wishes to appeal against an unsuccessful application for media accreditation can do so in writing to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB). Ultimately, the SPCB reserves the right to grant or withdraw parliamentary passes.

Health and Safety & accessibility

Accessibility Requirements
Holyrood has been designed with disability access issues fully in mind and we have a number of services to enable you to visit. If you have any specific access requirements in relation to your visit, please contact the Media Relations Office.

Smoking Policy
The Scottish Parliament is a no-smoking premises. It is an offence to smoke or knowingly to permit smoking in these premises.  If you observe someone smoking here, a complaint may be made to the Facilities Management Helpdesk on 0131 348 5100.

Accident Reporting
If you witness or are involved in an accident whilst on the Parliamentary complex please contact the Media Relations Office.

Fire Evacuation Procedures
The Scottish Parliament uses a system of voice messages for transmitting Fire Alert/Evacuation messages over the public address system. Should you require assistance in the case of an emergency evacuation please advise us in advance. We will then prepare a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) with you. The plan will ensure that you and the appropriate staff are aware of what assistance you will require in the case of an emergency evacuation.

If you are required to evacuate the building the following voice message will be transmitted: "Attention please. Attention please. Fire has been reported in the [zone location] of the building. Please leave the area immediately. Do not use the lifts.”

Discovering a Fire
Immediately
• Operate the nearest fire alarm control point by breaking the glass.
• Only if safe to do so, extinguish the fire using the appropriate fire extinguisher.

Follow the actions below after hearing the fire alarm
Once the alarm has sounded immediately:
• If safe to do so, close all doors and windows in your immediate vicinity.
• Leave the building using the nearest safe exit - do not stop or return to collect personal belongings.
• Make your way to the nearest Fire Evacuation Assembly Point. Members of the media assemble at Assembly Point 3 – Horsewynd
• Do not delay your own evacuation or put yourself at risk in order to facilitate the evacuation of others, but report any concerns to the Fire Evacuation Assembly Point Controller (identified by the high-visibility vests).
• Only re-enter the building via the main entrance when instructed it is safe to do so.

It is the responsibility of each individual to make themselves aware of their nearest alarm call point, the route of the fire escape and the designated Fire Evacuation Assembly Points.

The onus is on each individual to ensure that they respond to the fire evacuation call immediately.