Information Commissioner's Office

BBC

13 March 2008, Other

The complainant requested from the BBC details as to what type of accommodation was used by BBC staff sent to cover the World Cup 2006, what type of travel was used and how much the staff and presenters were paid. The BBC refused to provide this information on the basis that it was held for the purpose of journalism, art or literature. During the course of the investigation the BBC also sought to rely on exemptions under the Act to withhold the information. The Commissioner has investigated and concluded that the BBC misapplied the Schedule 1 derogation and that the information requested falls within the scope of the Act. The Commissioner investigated the BBC’s application of the exemptions and found that the exact salaries of the presenters are exempt under section 40 of the Act. However the Commissioner found that the details of salary bands paid to staff were not exempt under section 40. The Commissioner also found that section 43 was not engaged for the remaining information on accommodation and travel costs. The Commissioner requires the BBC to disclose the withheld information that is not exempt to the complainant within 35 calendar days of this notice.

FOI 1: Upheld