O Estado (in)transparente: limites do direito à informação socioambiental no Brasil

Abstract

Is access to information guaranteed in an effective way in Brazil? Has the State been transparent in regards to environmental issues? In order to answer these questions, this analysis presents the malfunctions of the State of Brazil to ensure citizens’ rights to information. First, the study contextualizes the State and looks at publicity and transparency, seeking to demonstrate political and economic limitations. The thesis is based on the thinking of Bobbio, Habermas and Bourdieu, without ignoring contributions from other thinkers. This study analyses the legal basis for environmental publicity between 1934 and 2006. It demonstrates the State’s obscurity in provision of information and describes the role of alternative media for public access to information. The study presents a series of cases in which the right of information have been denied and highlights inconsistencies related to the guiding principles of a democratic state. In conclusion, the research shows that, from a juridical perspective, information is an important instrument for environmental management. From a doctrinaire point of viewt, the study asserts that in a democratic state, access to information should be the rule, while secrecy should be a rare exception. However, under the theoretic-operational perspective, a flagrant disrespect to this right is verified, and, in many cases, used as a source of power, restricting access to important public decisions. Even considering punctual contrasts, the discussion on this topic is gaining relevance. We can already perceive that information, in general terms, already exists. The problem does not result from the absence of information, nor the lack of new laws or institutional knowledge, but the need of a greater engagement from society, both in the development of a management capacity and in a greater ethical commitment from those who hold power over public information.