Reactive disclosure under freedom of information: Organizational processes and institutional dynamics in an armed force

IMPACTThis article offers practical lessons for international practitioners implementing Freedom of Information (FOI) regimes not only within defence and security, but also in large and decentralized organizations. By shifting the analytical focus from disclosure outcomes to the organizational processes that shape reactive disclosure, the study highlights how internal structures, workflows, and decision-making routines influence transparency in secrecy-sensitive institutions. The findings are particularly relevant for senior and mid-level public managers, FOI officers, legal advisers, and policy designers working in ministries of defence, armed forces, and security agencies, as well as for oversight bodies and supreme audit institutions. Beyond the Brazilian case, the article provides a process-oriented analytical lens that can be applied comparatively to other democratic contexts facing similar tensions between transparency and information control. It supports practitioners in diagnosing bottlenecks, anticipating disclosure risks, and designing FOI arrangements that balance legal compliance, organizational capacity, and legitimate secrecy requirements.