{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/data-protection-act-2018/section-124",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/data-protection-act-2018/section-124.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/2018/12",
  "legislation_title": "Data Protection Act 2018",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/data-protection-act-2018",
  "path": "section/124",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "124",
  "heading": "Data protection and journalism code",
  "text": "(1) The Commission must prepare a code of practice which contains—\n(a) practical guidance in relation to the processing of personal data for the purposes of journalism in accordance with the requirements of the data protection legislation, and\n(b) such other guidance as the Commission considers appropriate to promote good practice in the processing of personal data for the purposes of journalism.\n(2) Where a code under this section is in force, the Commission may prepare amendments of the code or a replacement code.\n(3) Before preparing a code or amendments under this section, the Commission must consult such of the following as the Commission considers appropriate—\n(a) trade associations;\n(b) data subjects;\n(c) persons who appear to the Commission to represent the interests of data subjects.\n(4) A code under this section may include transitional provision or savings.\n(5) In this section—\n“good practice in the processing of personal data for the purposes of journalism” means such practice in the processing of personal data for those purposes as appears to the Commission to be desirable having regard to—\nthe interests of data subjects and others ..., and\nthe special importance of the public interest in the freedom of expression and information;\nand includes compliance with the requirements of the data protection legislation;\n“trade association” includes a body representing controllers or processors.",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Word in s. 124(1)-(3) substituted (30.9.2026) by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/386), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 23(2)(3); S.I. 2026/1015, reg. 2(c)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Word in s. 124(5) substituted (30.9.2026) by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/386), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 23(2)(3); S.I. 2026/1015, reg. 2(c)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "Words in s. 124(5) omitted (20.8.2025) by virtue of Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 11 para. 18(a); S.I. 2025/904, reg. 2(y)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "Words in s. 124(5) inserted (20.8.2025) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), s. 142(1), Sch. 11 para. 18(b); S.I. 2025/904, reg. 2(y)"
    },
    {
      "type": "I",
      "label": "I1",
      "text": "S. 124 not in force at Royal Assent; s. 124 in force at 23.7.2018, see s. 212(3)(a)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2018/12/section/124",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-28T17:00:05.588950+00:00",
    "licence": "OGL-UK-3.0",
    "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
    "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
  }
}