Data protection and journalism: how to complain about media organisations

Introduction

Freedom of expression – including a free and independent press – are important in a healthy democracy. Media organisations must therefore be able to process personal data when producing journalistic content, where there is a public interest in doing so. Data protection law recognises this by including specific rules that help balance the right to privacy with the right to freedom of expression. However, media organisations must still comply with data protection law.

When producing journalistic content, most media organisations are also subject to industry rules and codes of practice that govern the standards they must apply. Several organisations regulate these rules and codes.