Author(s): Henrique Cordeiro Martins, Alessandro Ostelino Marques, Nair Prata
Public communication can be understood as a strategy/action aimed at the public interest, promoting citizenship, and mobilizing collective debate and is directly linked to the concept of open government. International organizations and scholars conceptualize open government differently, using the principles of transparency, participation, and collaboration in their definition. This study aimed to analyze the influence of open government communication mechanisms and actions in the Government of Minas Gerais (Brazil). A qualitative-descriptive study was conducted using a case study involving 12 state secretariats. The results showed that, although they had a systemic perspective on communication, the interviewees pointed to greater relevance and priority for journalism actions in the secretariats’ communication departments and, consequently, in the promotion of open government. The events stood out in terms of participation and collaboration, functioning as a mechanism for building relationships and interacting with citizens and society’s representative groups. These groups have an indirect influence on the government, either through formal integration provided for in institutional procedures or through attempts at negotiation and pressure. The most common transparency actions presented were those relating to the publication of facts through the production of news and the creation of guidelines for the press