President plans primetime speech, slaps limits on press coverage

President Javier Milei has decided once again to formally open this year’s sessions of Congress with a primetime address, ordering his speech be aired via a ‘Cadena Nacional’ national broadcast.

Using rules enshrined in national law, Milei has decreed that his address be shared across audio and television services between 8.45pm and 11pm on Saturday night. 

It will be his third national broadcast since taking office, following broadcasts last December to mark the first anniversary of his administration and last March’s first state-of-the-union speech.

The speech – expected to last some 45 minutes – comes at a key moment for the Milei government, which is under pressure following the President’s controversial promotion of the ‘$LIBRA’ cryptocurrency and this week’s decision to appoint two Supreme Court justices via decree. 

The La Libertad Avanza leader is expected to emphasise the «achievements» of his administration to date and deepen his so-called » cultural battle » against left-wing progressive policies.

According to government sources, the format of the event will be similar to that held last year, with the President standing at a lectern facing the parliamentary body. 

The leader’s speech will make a «political and economic assessment» of his first year in office and a «projection» for 2025, they added.

To this end, Milei plans to mention the «tools» that the Executive Branch requires from the Legislative branch in order to deliver lasting change.

Last year, Milei formally opened congressional sessions with an aggressive, doom-laden speech that promised vast reforms “with or without the support of the political leadership.” 

Challenging lawmakers to back his policies and sign up to a 10-point ‘Pacto de Mayo,’ he attacked the “political caste” and called for a “new social contract” for Argentina.

Press clampdown

For the first time in the history since the return of democracy in 1983, the Milei government has decided to block national and international photographers from the congressional chamber. 

All non-lawmakers will be banned from entering “the house of the people,” said Vice-President Victoria Villarruel in a resolution co-signed by Lower House Speaker Martín Menem issued Friday

The decision means that control of the images that emerge from the session will be monopolised by the Executive branch.

In addition, the traditional congressional first-floor box designated to the press for the opening of congressional sessions has been changed. The will now be occupied by guests of the national government, with journalists moved to a smaller, less prominent space on the second floor.

The Noticias Argentinas news agency reported this week that the photographic blackout was ordered by Milei’s sister, Presidential Chief-of-Staff Karina Milei. 

This is not the first time that Milei has limited press coverage of constitutional acts. 

The right-wing leader, who says he is for freedom of expression, swore in his Cabinet members behind closed doors after taking office in December 2023, with only images approved by the Casa Rosada made public. 

Last September, when Milei’s government presented the 2025 Budget bill, journalists were expelled from their normal area and moved into a smaller space that failed to accommodate all those present.

Milei’s media ‘hostility’

Milei is in the habit of criticising the media or journalists who are unfriendly to his policies and questioning them in his speeches, interviews or through his social network accounts on X and Instagram.

Last year, local press associations warned of the President’s increasing “hostility” to the media. 

Press watchdog ADEPA, which represents 180 outlets, warned in a report that Milei’s “propensity to offend journalists and the media is disturbing democratic debate.”

It urged “the national government, local authorities and the ruling class [to] assume the urgency of mitigating the climate of confrontation, guaranteeing full freedom of expression and freedom of the press.”

ADEPA also expressed concern over a decree modifying a law that has guaranteed access to public information since 2016, criticising it as a move towards “secrecy.”

It emerged at press time that President Milei intends to have a celebratory post-speech dinner at the Casa Rosada with his nearest and dearest officials. 

Vice-President Victoria Villarruel, whose relationship with Milei has deteriorated over the past year, has not been invited. 

– TIMES/AFP/NA