Argentina: Ally of President Milei Threatens Journalist Laura Mayocchi
Before threatening the journalist, Lilia Lemoine of La Libertad Avanza refused to talk with Mayocchi because she works for the Public Broadcaster
Location: Argentina, Buenos Aires
Date: November 15, 2023
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is deeply concerned and outraged by the recent events in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Laura Mayocchi, a respected journalist working for Public TV, faced threats from Lilia Lemoine, an elected representative of La Libertad Avanza (LLA) and an ally of the far-right President-elect Javier Milei. The incident involved Lemoine's refusal to speak with Mayocchi because she worked for Public TV. Lemoine's refusal to engage in conversation with Mayocchi, along with the subsequent threat, goes beyond being a mere isolated altercation. Instead, these actions serve as a representation of the increasing difficulties encountered by journalists in Argentina. These challenges are exacerbated by the potential political climate under Milei's presidency, which is marked by a far-right ideology that has repeatedly clashed with the principles of free and independent media, including Milei’s election promise to cut public broadcasting. We call for a robust response from authorities to this incident, emphasizing the need to protect journalists from intimidation and preserve public media's integrity.
On November 15, Laura Mayocchi, a journalist working with Public TV, asked the elected representative of La Libertad Avanza (LLA), Lilia Lemoine, at the Constitución station in Buenos Aires if she took public transportation. In response, Lemoine accused Mayocchi of having bad intentions and refused to speak with her. When pressed further, Lemoine warned that public media would be privatized should presidential candidate Javier Milei be elected. Mayocchi questioned the impact on freedom, democracy, and pluralism, to which Lemoine reiterated her stance on privatization and threatened Mayocchi to "try to be a good worker."
Following the incident, Public Television released a statement condemning the events and expressing solidarity with Mayocchi. It emphasized the importance of public media as a source of quality information, culture, education, sports, and entertainment and denounced the threat to democratic coexistence. The statement concluded by expressing support for Mayocchi and her unwavering commitment to her work.
Lilia Lemoine, the elected representative of La Libertad Avanza, has gained prominence in Argentina's political landscape. She has strong ties to the recently elected president, Javier Milei, a right-wing controversial figure. Like Milei, Lemoine has a track record of generating controversy. Recently, she took to social media to express admiration for Carlos Pampillón, a well-known neo-Nazi militant from Mar del Plata, referring to him as a "patriot.”
President Milei has proposed a radical overhaul of Argentina's public services, including a plan to dismantle state media. Despite Argentina's status as a major media market in Latin America, public trust and interest in media are low. Argentinian public media has often been seen as an extension of the government, struggling to gain public trust and audience reach. This issue has been compounded by financial crises, with public media facing significant losses and workforce reductions.
The recent elections have highlighted these challenges. Milei's libertarian agenda, which includes eliminating public services to reduce government spending, threatens the survival of state-owned media. Public media and supporting organizations have strongly opposed these measures, emphasizing their importance for democracy and public services. Over 150 journalists and media workers have also rallied for democracy and against Milei's policies.
CFWIJ stands in solidarity with Laura Mayocchi and all journalists who face intimidation and threats in their line of duty. The role of journalists in a democratic society is indispensable, and any attack on them is an attack on the very foundations of freedom and democracy. Public media is not just a platform for news dissemination; it is a beacon of diverse narratives, a watchdog of democracy, and a representative of various societal voices, including those of women. We advocate for policies that strengthen, not weaken, public media and ensure a vibrant, inclusive, and democratic media ecosystem in Argentina.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.