Media requests for interviews with Scottish Government: FOI release

Information requested

A full list of requests from the media to speak to Scottish Government cabinet secretaries and ministers between March 30 and April 10 including who requested, who they requested, acceptance/rejection and why the invitation was rejected.

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption under s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information.

This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have provided the names of media outlets instead.

Furthermore, an exemption under s.30(b)(i) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption relates to the free and frank provision of advice or exchange of views. It is being applied to your request for information about why invitations were rejected.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption.

We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of the media’s role in scrutinising government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ministers receiving free and frank advice about the value of carrying out interviews when a variety of circumstances are taken into account.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

Annex A - Media requests for interview

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4 page PDF

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