Ratio Decidendi
Information held by the BBC for purposes of journalism, art, or literature is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The exemption is absolute and applies to all information held for those purposes.
Facts
Mr Sugar requested the BBC's internal report on Middle East coverage. The BBC refused under the journalism, art, and literature exemption.
Judgment Summary
The Supreme Court held that the exemption applies to information held to any significant degree for the purposes of journalism, even if also held for other purposes.
Key Quotes
"The derogation applies where the information is held to any significant degree for the purposes of journalism."
— Lord Phillips
Subsequent Treatment
Applied
Applied in subsequent FOI cases involving the BBC and other designated bodies.