Government payments to the Media

Summary

A request was made to the Department of Health and Social Care for details on government payments to media organizations since March 2020. The department responded that it does not hold this information and suggested contacting the Cabinet Office instead.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 20 November 2020.
• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the requested information.
• The refusal is based on Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• Applicants are advised to re-submit the request to the Cabinet Office.
• The case reference number is 1565774.

Data Disclosed

• 2020-11-20
• 2020-12-02
• March 2020
• 1565774
• Section 11(3)a

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held)

Original Request

Further to the media briefing on November 19 2020, I seek the public of the total amount of money the government has paid to each media organisation in the Isle of Man since the first declaration of a state of emergency in March 2020.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Interim Chief Executive: Kathryn Magson Freedom of Information Team Crookall House Demesne Road Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3QA

Tel: (01624) 642621 Email: dhsc@foi.gov.im Website: www.gov.im/dhsc Our ref: 1565774 24th November 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on the 20th November 2020 and states:

"Further to the media briefing on November 19 2020, I seek the public of the total amount of money the government has paid to each media organisation in the Isle of Man since the first declaration of a state of emergency in March 2020."

Our response:

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Department of Health and Social Care (“the Department”) is unable to provide the information that you have requested. This is in line with Section 11(3)a of the Act, as a practical refusal reason applies; namely we do not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. The Department is not the holder of the information however in order to provide help and assistance you may wish to re-submit your request to the Cabinet Office as they may be able to help you. Please quote the reference number 1565774 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely