disclosure

Disclosure is the act of making information known that was previously hidden or private. The term derives from the Latin divulgare, meaning to lay bare or reveal. In general use, disclosure refers to communicating relevant facts to appropriate audiences.

Disclosures can be voluntary or mandatory, partial or full, explicit or implied. They may concern financial performance, potential conflicts of interest, safety risks, or other information that could influence decisions by stakeholders.

In law and governance, disclosure is central to transparency and accountability. It includes discovery in civil litigation, government public records, and regulatory reporting requirements, such as freedom of information laws and securities filings.

In business and finance, disclosure involves communicating material information to investors and the market. Companies issue annual and quarterly reports, earnings releases, and notices of significant events; regulators require reporting to ensure fair dealing and prevent fraud.

In healthcare and scientific research, disclosure concerns informed consent, patient privacy, and transparency about conflicts of interest and funding sources. Professionals may be obligated to disclose risks, alternatives, and relationships that could bias conclusions.

Data privacy and journalism address disclosure of personal information. Laws govern what data may be disclosed, to whom, and under what circumstances, while journalists disclose conflicts of interest or sources to maintain credibility.

Disclosures enable informed choices and accountability but raise concerns about privacy, security, and potential harm from over-disclosure. The balance between public interest, individual rights, and safety shapes appropriate standards of disclosure.