Dear All,
A thought that came to me during the recent discussion of the phone hacking testimony was the following issue. If an investigative journalist decides to investigate someone, will the information they find about the person be accessible under the DPA?
I am not sure the tests necessary would be met to withhold.
In particular, if the investigation never led to publication the processing was not with a view to publication. In the case of surveillance, would the public interest test be sustained given the non-publication? Finally, would access, after the story or when no story appears, be compatible with the special purpose?
If that is the case, could the victims of the phone hacking make SARs to the various newspapers and media outlets available to find out what was held and how it was processed?
I would be interested in how others would approach this issue.
Thanks
Lawrence
Principal Information Management Officer
Durham County Council
Room 4/140
County Hall
County Durham
DH1 5UF
0191 372 8371
VPN 77778371
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