The Journalism Exception in UK Data Protection Law

Abstract

This article addresses the application of the journalism exception in UK data protection law. A number of uncertainties arise out of the case law of the CJEU and UK courts, as well as from the changes made to the journalism exception in the new data protection regime under the GDPR and DPA 2018. Three areas within the journalism exception will be discussed: the meaning of ‘journalistic purposes’, the substantive exemption from liability, and the procedural power to obtain a stay of proceedings. This article will identify the uncertainties affecting each of these three areas, and proposes possible ways by which these uncertainties may be resolved.