BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — After facing intense criticism for more than a week, Argentine President Javier Milei has lifted restrictions that prevented credentialed journalists from accessing the presidential palace, according to reports from Buenos Aires.
Media representatives confirmed Monday they were once again permitted to enter the Casa Rosada — Argentina’s presidential headquarters known as the Pink House — marking the first time since April 23 when access was suddenly revoked. On that date, Milei’s administration announced the closure of the decades-old press room utilized by approximately 60 credentialed reporters covering the presidency.
The restriction represented another chapter in Milei’s ongoing conflict with news media, echoing tactics employed by his supporter, former U.S. President Donald Trump. Press freedom organizations and journalists condemned the move as an assault on democratic transparency in Argentina.
According to Reporters Without Borders, Argentina has experienced a dramatic decline in press freedom rankings over the past two years, dropping from position 66 to 98 — representing one of South America’s steepest falls in media freedom.
Government officials defended the press corps restrictions by citing security concerns, specifically alleging that Todo Noticias television channel engaged in espionage by filming unauthorized footage of government facilities using smart glasses technology.
However, Todo Noticias maintains they obtained proper authorization for the recording and argues the filmed areas showing corridors and meeting rooms have always been publicly accessible.
Following widespread condemnation from business organizations, the Catholic Church, and politicians from multiple parties, Cabinet chief Manuel Adorni announced the reversal of the media ban. Adorni indicated new guidelines for credentialed journalists would be developed to address security issues.
“There will definitely be changes,” Adorni stated during a radio interview in Buenos Aires last week, though he did not detail the upcoming modifications.
Milei’s antagonistic relationship with journalists has reached levels not witnessed since Argentina’s return to democratic governance in 1983, with tensions escalating as his anti-corruption and inflation-fighting initiatives face challenges.
The president regularly shares the message “We don’t hate journalists enough” on his social media platforms. Last Tuesday, while entering Congress to support Adorni amid allegations of improper financial gain, Milei responded aggressively to reporters’ questions about the controversy.
“You’re the corrupt ones,” he declared to the assembled journalists.
