Six independent organizations published a letter on Wednesday opposing a bill that would amend Brazil’s Access to Information Law. The government is expected to present its proposals this year.
The organizations argue the proposed changes could roll back transparency measures that have been in place since 2012. The letter is signed by Transparência Brasil, Abraji (Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism), Artigo 19, Fiquem Sabendo, Open Knowledge Brasil, the Brazilian office of Transparency International, and Gregory Michener, a professor of transparency and good governance at the Getulio Vargas Foundation.
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The president’s chief of staff is expected to send congress proposed changes to the law, particularly regarding the provision that allows authorities to classify certain information as confidential for up to 100 years when it pertains to "privacy, private life, honor and image." The letter from the organizations criticizes the proposal, arguing the issue is not the duration of confidentiality but the lack of clear criteria for its application.
