Brazil's Supreme Court to Hear Case on Access to Public Prosecutor Salary Data

Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) is set to begin judging a lawsuit that challenges restrictions on accessing salary information for public prosecutors. The case, initiated in October 2025 by the Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism (Abraji), centers on a resolution by the National Council of the Public Prosecutor's Office (CNMP) that requires users to identify themselves before accessing details about prosecutors' remuneration.

Abraji contends that this measure infringes upon the constitutional right to access information and poses a threat to press freedom. The association argues that such a requirement could lead to intimidation tactics against journalists. The lawsuit also references previous STF decisions that affirmed the public's right to know the nominal salaries of public servants. Reports from Transparência Brasil indicate that following the CNMP resolution, at least ten state Public Prosecutor's Offices began demanding personal data, including CPF numbers and even photos, to grant access to payroll information.

In some states, such as Mato Grosso do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul, pay stubs are now published without individual identification. The legal battle has garnered support from various civil society organizations, including Transparência Brasil, Instituto República, Plataforma Justa, Movimento Pessoas à Frente, and Open Knowledge Brasil, which have requested to participate as amici curiae. The National Federation of State Public Prosecutor Workers (Fenamp) and the Public Prosecutor's Office of Santa Catarina also sought to join as friends of the court, though the STF had not yet analyzed these requests.

The core of the dispute lies in the balance between transparency and the potential for misuse of information. Abraji and its allies argue that public scrutiny of salaries is essential for accountability and that requiring personal identification creates an unnecessary barrier, potentially chilling investigative journalism. The STF's deliberation will be crucial in determining the extent to which salary information of public officials remains accessible to the public in Brazil.