BUENOS AIRES, April 23 (Reuters) – The government of Argentine President Javier Milei prevented accredited journalists from entering the Casa Rosada this Thursday, alleging an incident of “illegal espionage”, after a local television station showed images recorded with smart glasses.
The measure was announced by communications director Javier Lanari at X, who stated that fingerprint access for journalists was removed as a “preventative measure” after a security complaint. A Reuters journalist who regularly works at the Casa Rosada, where government press conferences are held, was unable to enter on Thursday morning.
“The sole purpose is to ensure national security,” Lanari said.
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On Wednesday, Milei published a photo of two journalists from the TN broadcaster, calling them “GROSS TRASH” after the channel aired a report with images of the Casa Rosada, which, according to the broadcaster, were recorded with smart glasses, optical devices with computerized technology.
“I would love to see these filthy scum who have journalist credentials (95%) come out and defend what these two criminals did,” said Milei, apparently referring to the broadcaster’s report, which included an image of Minister Manuel Adorni walking through the Casa Rosada.
Journalists accredited to work at Casa Rosada released a statement stating that the “unjustified” decision to deny access to reporters “suggests an explicit attack on press freedom, the practice of journalism and the public’s right to access information.”
Milei has repeatedly clashed with journalists, publicly trading barbs on social media and in interviews, prompting press freedom groups to warn of a sharp deterioration in relations between his government and the media since he took office in December 2023.
