President Javier Milei of Argentina has escalated his campaign against the media, particularly focusing on female journalists, amidst growing concerns about press freedom in the country. One of the latest controversies involves an AI-generated video that falsely accuses journalist Julia Mengolini of incest, which has garnered significant attention online.
Over the weekend, President Milei took to social media, specifically the platform X, to unleash a torrent of at least 65 posts aimed at Mengolini, a vocal critic of his administration. His tweets included mockery of the accusations while his supporters amplified the degrading narrative surrounding the fabricated video, which supposedly depicted her in inappropriate relations with her brother.
Experts and observers warn that Milei's rhetoric, often characterized by misogynistic undertones and misinformation, poses a grave threat to press freedom in Argentina. Such verbal assaults can foster a hostile environment for journalists, increasing the risk of real-world violence against them. The president's dismissive approach to journalists, encapsulated by his phrase “We don’t hate journalists enough,” echoes a disturbing trend seen in other parts of the world, including tactics used by former President Trump in the United States.
While Milei did not directly share the AI video, he endorsed the smear campaign against Mengolini as a justified reaction to her criticisms. This situation underscores the dangerous intersection of technology and politics, where misinformation can be weaponized to silence dissent and undermine the integrity of the press. The implications of such actions extend beyond individual attacks, potentially eroding democratic values and freedoms fundamental to a healthy society.
