Argentina government bars all accredited reporters from presidential palace

The government of President Javier Milei has denied entry to all journalists accredited to cover the presidency at the Casa Rosada, Argentina’s presidential palace, after failing to renew the press credentials of every media outlet assigned there. As a result, the presidential press room was shut and no reporters were able to enter the building on Thursday morning after their fingerprint access permissions were removed from the security system. The blanket restriction affects journalists from all news organisations that routinely cover presidential activity at the historic government headquarters in downtown Buenos Aires.  Local media described the measure as without precedent since Argentina’s return to democracy in 1983. The government has reportedly justified the decision by citing a criminal complaint filed by Casa Militar — the military unit responsible for security at the Casa Rosada and the presidential residence in Olivos — against two journalists from broadcaster Todo Noticias (TN).  The complaint accused the journalists of carrying out illegal espionage, after footage filmed inside the palace’s corridors was aired on the news channel. It includes accusations linked to the disclosure of political or military secrets and matters of national security. No official statement had been issued by the government at the time of publication.  Journalists learned of the ban when they arrived at the gates of the Casa Rosada on Thursday and were refused entry. AHORA El gobierno CERRÓ LA SALA DE PERIODISTAS de la @CasaRosada. Decidió no renovar las acreditaciones de todos los periodistas por la denuncia de Casa Militar a raíz de la filmación efectuada por el programa de @lucianageuna . No se sabe hasta cuándo.— Liliana Franco (@lilianafranco20) April 23, 2026 Liliana Franco, the historical Casa Rosada correspondent for the Herald’s sister publication Ámbito said that “it is unknown how long (the ban) will last.” #NOSALP The move comes weeks after the administration temporarily suspended several media accreditations over accusations that they were involved in an alleged scheme to spread fake news generated by Russia to affect the Milei government. Even before that, tensions had been growing between the President and sections of the Argentine press. The libertarian leader has repeatedly accused journalists and major media outlets of falsely portraying Argentina as being in a severe economic crisis, and of selectively highlighting negative news in an effort to undermine his administration.  He argues that many outlets ignore signs of falling inflation, fiscal adjustment and market optimism, while focusing instead on recession, job losses, poverty and social unrest. Within that broader confrontation, Milei and his supporters have circulated the slogan #NOSALP, shorthand for “No odiamos lo suficiente a los periodistas” (“We do not hate journalists enough”).  The phrase is used online as an aggressive rallying cry against the press, reflecting the increasingly hostile tone of the government’s relationship with news organisations and reporters critical of the administration.  Critics say it helps normalise harassment and intimidation of journalists, while supporters frame it as a reaction to what they consider biased coverage. With information from Ámbito