Argentina

The study examines current legislation in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, with the aim of identifying regulatory trends, patterns, and common risks that affect the functioning of civil society organizations.

The Committee to Protect Journalists and FOPEA have documented how President Javier Milei’s administration has escalated attacks on the press through stigmatizing rhetoric, physical and legal harassment, and obstacles to journalists’ work, contributing to a deteriorating environment for independent media in Argentina.

A prominent voice in Argentina’s feminist movement and a well-respected journalist, Julia Mengolini has spent more than a decade challenging political, corporate, and media power. She is the founder of Futurock, an independent online radio station built without state or corporate backing. Her work makes space for feminist and progressive ideas that had often been sidelined in the country’s public discourse.

Independent photographer Pablo Grillo was struck in the head by a tear gas cartridge during a pensioner protest in Buenos Aires that was suppressed by police.

On 7 November 2024, Victoria Villarruel, vice-president of Argentina, labelled the book Cometierra on her X account as immoral and degrading, sharing excerpts and calling for its removal from schools and libraries.”

IFEX-ALC, Alianza Regional por la Libre Expresión e Información [the Regional Alliance for Free Expression and Information], and Red Voces del Sur [the Voices of the South network]- three regional networks defending freedom of expression and press freedom– express our concern over the closure of civic space in Argentina as a consequence of the subjugation of freedom of information, expression, press, demonstration and peaceful assembly promoted by the current administration.

Since January 2024, at least 61 attacks against the Argentine press have been recorded.

During his first 100 days in office, a report by FOPEA, a local press freedom organization, found that four out of every 10 attacks on the press involved Milei or his ministers.

IFEX Americas Regional Editor Laura Vidal looks into what lies ahead for Argentina following the election of Javier Milei.

“[Milei] uses a discourse that is openly hostile to journalism and is taken up and amplified by his supporters on social media. This strategy aims to discredit media and journalists that are critical of his policies” – RSF

“This program comes at a crucial time for Argentina that elects its new president on 19 November 2023. RSF and SembraMedia share a common vision of a news media sector that thrives because of their ethical journalistic practices.”

If charged and convicted, the journalists could face prison sentences of one to six years, according to Argentina’s penal code.

For the second time in less than a month, unknown assailants fired several shots at the facade of Grupo Televisión Litoral, despite the police protection posted there since the first attack on December 12.

O’Donnell, who wrote a 2020 book based on interviews with Mariano Macri, the brother of former President Mauricio Macri, has faced a court order since early 2021 to surrender recordings of his interviews.