Argentina’s government revoked press credentials for several local media outlets on April 6 following allegations they were linked to a Russian-backed disinformation campaign uncovered by an international investigation, escalating tensions between President Javier Milei’s administration and the press.
Journalists from outlets including Ámbito Financiero, C5N, La Patriada FM, A24, El Destape and Tiempo Argentino were denied access to the presidential palace and, in some cases, Congress, according to reporters and media organisations. One journalist said that she was informed upon arrival that her name was on a list barring entry, EFE reported.
The move follows findings by an international consortium of investigative media that a Russian network known as “La Compañía” financed the placement of content in Argentine media between June and October 2024. According to leaked documents cited in the investigation, the network allocated about $283,000 to publish at least 250 articles under fake aliases across more than 20 outlets to promote pro-Russia narratives amid the war in Ukraine. Since taking office in December 2023, Milei has emerged as a staunch supporter of Kyiv, in stark contrast to the previous Peronist administration, which took a more neutral stance on the conflict. This is said to have alarmed Moscow and prompted the Kremlin to mount a covert influence operation targeting Argentine outlets, according to the investigation.
Argentina’s government echoed the findings, saying the operation sought to “disseminate false information and influence Argentine public opinion in favour of foreign geopolitical interests,” a claim previously raised by the State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE).
President Milei described the revelations as highly serious and pledged further action. “We will pursue this to the fullest extent to identify all the direct and indirect actors who participated in this illegal espionage network,” he said on social media. He added that “‘journalists’ and ‘media outlets’ linked to this are only the tip of the iceberg of something much bigger.”
The investigation reported that the alleged network used intermediaries such as agencies and consultants to distribute content, some of which contained distortions or falsehoods, while other pieces were published under fabricated identities, including AI-generated profile images. Several targeted outlets denied receiving payments, although some sources acknowledged compensation linked to private actors concerned about government policies.
The probe also suggested the network attempted to inflame regional tensions, including by circulating false claims about Argentine actions targeting infrastructure in neighbouring Chile.
Press freedom groups criticised the government’s decision to restrict access. The Buenos Aires Press Union (SiPreBA) said the measure aimed to silence critical journalism, stating that authorities were preventing accredited reporters from entering official institutions.
The revocation comes after the government introduced stricter accreditation rules in May 2025, including tighter quotas, scoring requirements and enhanced conduct regulations. The latest developments add to a broader climate of friction between the administration and the media, marked by accusations of censorship, budget cuts affecting public outlets and reports of hostility towards journalists during protests.
