They endorsed an article originally published by Ari Lijalad, who has been sued by Milei for alleged defamation and slander.

On Thursday, over 600 journalists, artists, and intellectuals staged a symbolic protest against far-right President Javier Milei’s harassment of the Argentine press.

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They collectively endorsed a news article originally published by journalist Ari Lijalad, who has been criminally sued by Milei for alleged “defamation and slander.” Published by outlet El Destape on May 4, Lijalad’s article criticized Milei for his policies and mistreatment of media workers.

In 2009, however, then-President Cristina Fernandez-Kirchner had decriminalized defamation and slander in cases of public interest. Ignoring that precedent, Milei revived those outdated legal provisions to pursue legal action against Lijalad.

In response to Milei’s attempt to intimidate journalists, the Buenos Aires Press Union (SIPREBA) began organizing resistance efforts against what it described as a government intent on “silencing criticism through legal complaints and hate speech.”

“We are not defending an article, but The principle that journalism should be able to hold those in power accountable without fear of reprisal,” said radio host Alejandro Bercovich, who joined the collective endorsement of Lijalad’s article.

This article was republished by El Destape on Friday. In the piece, the journalist and political scientist provides a detailed analysis of statements made by President Milei, arguing that the far-right leader uses such rhetoric to discredit his critics and incite hatred and violence against journalists.

“This is an attack on freedom of expression and a crime. The situation is even more serious when the President is the one doing it, because he has the means to make intimidation and censorship real,” Lijalad wrote.

“This, I must repeat, is not mere bluster: it is a calculated, planned tactic that consists of targeting a different journalist every day in order to create a climate of self-censorship, in which those who haven’t yet been singled out try to avoid both virtual attacks and their real-life consequences,” he added.

“When violence is incited against journalists with the aim of making them self-censor, it also infringes on the right of millions of people to access information —information those journalists stop producing. So, we are talking about fundamental rights being violated, both of which are protected by the Constitution and international treaties signed by Argentina.”

“This operation has already achieved something for Milei: those of us who have not yet self-censored are forced to spend time and space discussing this issue. And that time and space should instead be dedicated to topics like pension cuts, the elimination of essential medications, declining real wages, rising unemployment, an economic plan that favors financial speculation, the collapse of public works and its consequences, soaring food prices, and the ongoing industrial crisis,” Lijalad concluded.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: El Destape

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