FS50209659

Decision Summary

• Case Ref: FS50209659
• Date: 25/02/2010
• Public Authority: BBC
• Summary: The complainant submitted a request to the BBC for information concerning a meeting between the Director-General Mark Thompson and David Cameron, MP. The BBC refused to provide some of the information on the basis that it fell outside the scope of the Act because it was held for the purposes of 'journalism, art or literature'. The BBC concluded that the remainder of the information was within the scope of the Act but it refused to disclose it on the basis that it was exempt under sections 36(2)(b)(i), 36(2)(b)(ii) and 36(2)(c) of the Act. The Commissioner has investigated and concluded that the BBC was correct to refuse access to some of the withheld information on the basis that it was outside the scope of the Act because it was held for the purposes of 'journalism, art or literature'.He has also concluded that where the requested material fell within the scope of the Act, the BBC was correct to refuse to supply it on the basis that it was exempt under section 36(2)(b)(ii) and the public interest favoured maintaining the exemption. The Commissioner requires no further steps to be taken in this matter.
• View PDF of Decision Notice: [1]

• Section of Act / Finding: FOI 17 - Complaint Upheld - Find other matching decisions

• Section of Act / Finding: FOI 36 - Complaint Not upheld - Find other matching decisions