Public information as a specific tool for a citizen for learning the truth about politics
Public information as a specific tool for a citizen for learning the truth about politics

Summary/Abstract: RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The aim of the article is to present the institutions dealing with access to public information in Poland as a tool of the control that enables learning the truth about politics in the legal and practical terms. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The basic research issue is to determine whether access to public information can be a tool for learning the truth in politics and what kind of obstacles are set against exercising the right. To address the research problem, an analysis of primary sources (legal acts, judicature) and a critical analysis of the text (scientific studies) were used. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: In the first part of the article axiological and political aspects of access to public information were presented. The legal framework for the control of authority through access to public information in force in Poland was described next. In the last part of the article the tendency to restrict possibilities of exercising the right was assessed. RESEARCH RESULTS: Access to public information in scientific literature and judicature is a tool of gaining necessary knowledge by i.a. citizens for exercising the other political rights in a rational way. However one can observe a tendency to restrict transparency through excluding certain data from the concept of public information in the activities of public authorities in Poland. It prevents citizens from learning the truth on the politics. The above-mentioned restriction of transparency relates to i.a. legislative process. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The procedure for access to public information will give citizens a real opportunity to exercise other political rights if the scope of the concept of public information is not narrowed.

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