Veteran Argentine media personality Mario Pergolini has publicly expressed solidarity with journalist Luciana Geuna, directly addressing President Javier Milei regarding concerns over press freedom. Pergolini's remarks come after the Milei administration filed a criminal complaint against Geuna and another journalist, Ignacio Salerno, leading to a broader ban on accredited press from the Casa Rosada. The incident has ignited widespread debate about media independence in Argentina.
Pergolini's strong statement, shared on social media by "OTRO DÍA PERDIDO," directly challenged the President's rhetoric. > "If you say that you have a journalist 95% imprisoned, having control of the forces, the truth is that it scares," Pergolini stated, referencing Milei's frequent assertion that "95% of journalists are criminals." This comment underscores the chilling effect perceived by many in the media landscape.
The controversy began when Geuna and Salerno, from Todo Noticias, broadcast footage filmed inside the Casa Rosada using smart glasses. While Geuna maintained that press officers were notified in advance and the areas filmed were publicly accessible, the government's Casa Militar filed a complaint alleging "illegal espionage" or "disclosure of political or military secrets." This legal action carries potential prison sentences, further escalating tensions.
In a significant escalation, President Milei's government subsequently revoked the credentials of all accredited journalists at the Casa Rosada, a move condemned by press freedom organizations as unprecedented since Argentina's return to democracy in 1983. Milei has consistently used social media to attack journalists, employing derogatory terms and even sharing an AI-generated image depicting a journalist in a prison jumpsuit.
Critics argue that these actions are part of a broader anti-media campaign by the Milei administration, which prefers direct communication via social media over traditional press conferences. This crackdown on media access and critical reporting coincides with a period of declining popularity for the president amid economic challenges, including high inflation and rising unemployment. The Committee to Protect Journalists has labeled the administration's actions as "autocratic," warning of a significant threat to democratic principles.
