The Argentine Association of Journalistic Entities (ADEPA in Spanish) released several statements on Friday, Sept. 7, asking authorities to ensure freedom of expression in the city of Pilar, in the province of Buenos Aires.
An Argentine reporter went on a hunger strike at the end of August, six years after her contract with a television channel was not renewed, reported the news group Rosario3. "I want them to give back my voice and job," said the journalist.
An Argentine journalist claimed that a local media company owner tortured him with a cattle prod and beat him in the town of Ingeniero Juárez, in the northern border province of Formosa.
On Monday, Aug. 20, the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) declared the blockade on the circulation of newspapers in Argentina a "press freedom violation." “While the unions have a legitimate right to express themselves, their actions cannot limit the right to press freedom nor restrict people’s access to the information that the news media disseminate," IAPA said.
A slew of attacks and threats against journalists took place over the last week in Argentina. After being beaten, one journalist also received a death threat in the village of Sancti Spirtiu in the province of Santa Fe on Tuesday, Aug. 14, reported the Argentine Journalism Forum (FOPEA in Spanish).
Argentine President Cristina Kirchner proposed an ethics law for journalists during a speech at the energy company Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales (YPF in Spanish), claiming that the media were "mounting a campaign to tarnish the image" of the recently nationalized business. Kirchner cited recent articles published in the newspaper Clarín for her argument, reported HidrocarburosBolivia.com.
The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) and several other international press organizations took the opportunity to express their mounting concern over the state of freedom of expression in Argentina and Ecuador during a meeting of the Coordinating Committee of Press Freedom Organizations, which took place on July 12 in Santiago, Chile, reported the news website Martí on Tuesday, Aug. 7.
Several Argentine journalists were attacked and their equipment stolen, allegedly by the political group Tupac Amaru, founded by Argentine leader Milagro Sala, on Friday, Aug. 3, in the province of Jujuy, reported the newspaper El Litoral.
An Argentine journalist was censored by the TV channel C5N,when President Cristina Kirchner prohibited the TV channel from letting the journalist participate in a news program, reported Perfil.
On Tuesday, July 3, the Argentine Journalism Forum (FOPEA in Spanish) released a proposal to limit the financial amount of moral damages that could be claimed against journalists.
In Longchamps, located in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, a hooded and armed individual attacked a journalist with a belt, robbed his money, and threatened to burn his house down, reported the newspaper La Nueva Provincia.
On Tuesday, June 12, the Argentine Journalism Forum applauded the new public information access in the Misiones Province of Argentina, which was approved on June 7 by the provincial congress, and said that this "means a significant step forward for freedom of expression, state transparency, and citizens' rights in democracy."