divulgence

Divulgence is the act of making information known that was previously secret or unknown. It encompasses the disclosure or revelation of facts, data, or ideas and may be voluntary or compelled. The term is used across fields such as law, journalism, science, and everyday life to describe the process of bringing information into public view or into a specific audience's awareness.

Etymology: from Latin divulgare, meaning "to make public" (dis- "apart" or "not" plus vulgaris "common"). In modern English, divulgence is a formal noun; the related verb is divulge, and the adjective forms include divulgatory or divulgential usages in some contexts.

Legal and ethical dimensions: divulging confidential information can breach contractual obligations, professional codes of ethics, or privacy laws. Some disclosures are protected or required, such as whistleblowing, mandatory reporting in certain professions, or disclosures ordered by a court or regulator.

Contexts and examples: voluntary divulgence includes a corporate press release or the publication of research results; compelled divulgence occurs through subpoenas, court orders, or regulatory investigations. In journalism, responsible divulgence serves the public interest when it reveals wrongdoing or information about public affairs, while unchecked divulgence can threaten privacy or security.

See also: disclosure, revelation, leak, confidentiality, whistleblower.