Argentina - March 2024

President Javier Milei announced the closure of Telam, the country’s national news agency (established in 1945), labelling it a propaganda agency of the Peronist opposition party. Telam was Latin America's largest public news agency and the second largest of its kind in the Spanish-speaking world. The closure of Telam resulted in 700 job losses. Milei had previously attempted to privatize Telam through his omnibus state reform bill but failed to gain approval in the Chamber of Deputies. Telam’s closing sparked widespread condemnation from journalists' unions, who vowed to use all legal, union, and political means to protect the agency and its employees. They criticized the government for what they see as a severe attack on freedom of expression, noting the police blockade of Télam's buildings to prevent protests. Télam's shutdown is seen by workers and critics alike as an assault on press freedom and democracy, prompting plans for protests.

Sources; Le Monde, Pagina 12, Opinion, Buenos Aires Herald, Reuters