Argentina Under Fire: Journalists Face Escalating Repression Amid Peaceful Protests

June 04, 2025 – Argentina – 

In a troubling trend drawing global condemnation, journalists covering peaceful protests in Argentina are increasingly facing targeted repression at the hands of state security forces. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has raised urgent alarms about what it describes as a systematic campaign to silence media coverage through violence and intimidation—an effort that directly threatens democratic freedoms in the country.

Since the inauguration of President Javier Milei in December 2023, Argentina has witnessed a surge in public demonstrations, particularly among pensioners protesting austerity measures and social reforms. Yet these otherwise peaceful gatherings have been marred by brutal interventions from security forces—including the military police, federal police, and airport security—who RSF says have assaulted and harassed journalists attempting to cover the events.

One of the most disturbing incidents occurred in March when photojournalist Pablo Grillo was struck in the forehead by a tear gas canister, leaving him in intensive care for over a month. More recently, on May 21, freelance photographer Mariana Nedelcu was shoved to the ground and had her camera equipment destroyed. The same day, photographer Tomás Cuesta was detained and beaten, and a rubber bullet struck journalist Pablo Corso. A week later, photojournalist Antonio Becerra suffered injuries from tear gas during another protest in Buenos Aires.

RSF has condemned these acts as part of a deliberate strategy by authorities to disrupt and suppress independent journalism. “The use of force to prevent journalists from covering protests violates fundamental rights and seriously endangers press freedom,” said the organization in a recent statement.

The severity of the situation is reflected in Argentina’s plummeting press freedom ranking: the country has fallen 40 places in RSF’s 2024 World Press Freedom Index, from 26th to 66th. Compounding concerns, a leaked National Intelligence Plan reportedly empowers the government to monitor individuals for “manipulating public opinion” or “propagating disinformation”—a vague pretext that could be used to target critical journalists and outlets.

In response, journalist unions and media organizations in Argentina, supported by international press freedom groups, are distributing protective gear to reporters and documenting cases of violence and censorship.

RSF is calling on the Milei administration to halt the use of excessive force, guarantee the safety of media workers, and repeal intelligence measures that could be used for surveillance and intimidation. Without urgent action, press advocates warn, Argentina risks sliding into a dangerous era of media suppression.

Reference – 

RSF warns of increasing repression of the press during peaceful protests in Argentina

Reporters Without Borders say journalists covering protests in Argentina being targeted by armed forces 

https://rsf.org/en/argentina-rsf-warns-escalating-media-repression-during-peaceful-protests