Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

The complainant requested information related to the Coronation Celebration Playlist published on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’ (DCMS) Spotify account. The requested information included the relevant internal correspondence and names of the songs and artists removed from the draft versions. DCMS withheld the information in its entirety relying on the section 36(2)(c) of FOIA (effective conduct of public affairs).
The Commissioner has found that section 36(2)(c) is not engaged. In addition, DCMS breached section 17(1) of FOIA as it failed to issue its refusal notice within the statutory 20 working days.
The Commissioner requires DCMS to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation: Provide the complainant with the information within the scope of the request, with the exception of the names of all officials named in the information.
The public authority must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.