In a troubling escalation of hostility towards journalists in Argentina, President Javier Milei’s administration is facing backlash over its aggressive smear tactics. Most notably, an AI-generated video that falsely accuses journalist Julia Mengolini of incest has gained traction online. This incident highlights not just the detrimental effects of misinformation but also the troubling attitude towards press freedom under Milei's leadership.
Milei, an active user of social media platform X, launched a tirade against Mengolini over the weekend, unleashing at least 65 posts that belittled her. His supporters participated in the mockery, demonstrating a coordinated effort to undermine a journalist who has been critical of his government. This incident marks a severe breach of journalistic integrity and raises serious concerns about the erosion of press freedom in Argentina.
Experts in media ethics argue that Milei’s behavior not only reflects a pattern of misogynistic rhetoric but also promotes a landscape where violence against journalists could become normalized. The president’s use of slogans such as “We don’t hate journalists enough” mirrors rhetoric used by far-right politicians globally, following a trend of undermining media anchor points.
Even though Milei didn’t share the controversial video directly, his endorsement of the campaign against Mengolini represents a significant threat to the independence of the media. These actions signal a precarious future for journalists in Argentina, as the state-sanctioned mockery and misinformation challenge both their safety and their critical role in democracy.
