Public interest
There is no single definition of public interest, it includes but is not confined to:
- exposing or detecting crime.
- exposing significantly anti-social behaviour.
- exposing corruption or injustice.
- disclosing significant incompetence or negligence.
- protecting people's health and safety.
- preventing people from being misled by some statement or action of an individual or organisation.
- disclosing information that allows people to make a significantly more informed decision about matters of public importance.
There is also a public interest in freedom of expression itself. When considering what is in the public interest we also need to take account of information already in the public domain or about to become available to the public.