In brief
In Argentina, President Javier Milei has intensified his attacks on journalists, particularly women, using social media to share a harmful AI-generated video that falsely accuses a journalist of incest. This trend threatens press freedom and is reminiscent of tactics used by other populist leaders worldwide.
In Argentina, a concerning trend has emerged as President Javier Milei intensifies his attacks on journalists, particularly focusing on women in media. Recently, a widely circulated AI-generated video falsely accused journalist Julia Mengolini of incest, prompting outrageous posts from Milei on social media. Over the weekend, he reportedly shared at least 65 messages mocking Mengolini and encouraging his followers to ridicule her based on the fabricated claims. Experts warn that Milei’s aggressive rhetoric, which often includes misogynistic language and disinformation, poses serious threats to press freedom in the country and could lead to real-life violence against journalists. Disturbingly, Milei publicly supports these attacks by suggesting they are justified retribution. This mindset not only reflects Milei’s admiration for former President Trump’s divisive tactics but also signals a dangerous shift in the perception of media and its role in democracy. Without significant pushback, such AI-driven smear campaigns might shape a more hostile environment for journalists, further threatening their ability to report freely and accurately.
