Argentina: RSF condemns police violence against photojournalist Pablo Grillo, hospitalised in critical condition
Independent photojournalist Pablo Grillo was seriously injured by a tear gas grenade fired by police while he was covering a protest in Buenos Aires. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) strongly condemns this attack, which reflects an alarming escalation in the excessive force against journalists, making the profession increasingly dangerous in Argentina.
Freelance photojournalist Pablo Grillo, a member of the Association of Graphic Reporters of the Argentine Republic (aRGra), is in critical condition after being hit in the head by a tear gas grenade fired by police on Wednesday, 12 March, in Buenos Aires, the capital. He was covering a protest by retirees against government policies and the country's economic situation, when he was struck and immediately lost consciousness. He underwent emergency surgery and, at the time of this writing, is still in critical condition.
At least 15 journalists were obstructed from reporting by security forces during the protest, according to the Buenos Aires Press Union (SiPreBA). Several were injured by rubber bullets, others suffered the effects of tear gas, and some were beaten with batons.
Since Javier Milei’s government came into power, police repression against journalists has intensified under the "anti-picket protocol," which restricts the right to protest and authorises excessive use of force.
"The violent assault on independent photojournalist Pablo Grillo, injured in the head by police while carrying out his work, is an alarming sign of a dangerous drift towards repression. This attack on a journalist is part of a broader policy that turns reporters into prime targets. It represents a dangerous escalation in the use of force under Milei’s government, exacerbating the hostile climate for the media. The Argentine government must end this offensive against press freedom and ensure journalists can work without fear. RSF urges the police to protect reporters covering protests and guarantee unrestricted access to information for the public. The systematic crackdown on the media must stop before it deals an irreversible blow to Argentina’s democracy.
In March, the Argentine government took a series of new measures in a span of less than two weeks that severely hampered press freedom. On 3 March, President Javier Milei boasted about cutting media support by reducing government advertising contracts, endangering the survival of many independent outlets. Three days later, the government announced plans to introduce a selection system for journalists attending press conferences at the presidential palace, the Casa Rosada, which would involve a public vote on which journalists are allowed access and the ability to mute certain journalists’ microphones during the time allotted to asking the government questions.On 10 March, the Association of Foreign Correspondents in Argentina (ACERA) condemned new restrictions on covering protests and official events, including the recent limitations on photojournalists’ accreditation for the opening of the ordinary sessions of Congress, presided over by Javier Milei.
