STATE SECRECY AND ACCESS TO PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ARGENTINA: HISTORY OF ITS TENSIONS AND BACKGROUND

Abstract

This article describes the theoretical background and practice of state secrecy, while contrasting its tensions with public information laws. It distinguishes five periods of Argentinian history in order to portray and assess the legislation sanctioned in the matter. Conclusions reveal that, historically, the different branches of State have used secrecy to hide activities and agreements
from citizenship. And, although over the years this practice has been positively curtailed, a much more controversial type of secret has been legitimized: secret documents, which classification authority are agencies in charge of intelligence, defense and security tasks.