REPORT CRITICIZES MEDIA COVERAGE OF ARGENTINE AGRICULTURAL

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000486 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM SCUL KPAO KDEM AR SUBJECT: REPORT CRITICIZES MEDIA COVERAGE OF ARGENTINE AGRICULTURAL CRISIS REF: Buenos Aires 0386 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: A report released by the University of Buenos Aires's School of Social Sciences on April 5 sharply criticizes the Argentine media's coverage of the recent agricultural crisis in Argentina. The timing of the report's release, however, raised serious concerns, as it coincided with a speech by President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (CFK) in which she strongly criticized the press and urged the media to avoid discrimination in their reporting of the farm strike. The government has also said it will reactivate an "observatory of discriminatory attitudes," a body designed to monitor the media, which had been in disuse. Finally, Nestor Kirchner and a youth organization tied to his political apparatus have launched a public campaign to criticize the largest daily paper and media group, Clarin, for lying and abuse of power. All of this has set off a vigorous defense of press freedom by the media and media professional associations - concerned that the CFK administration is attempting to restrict freedom of the press. End Summary. ¶2. (U) The School of Social Sciences at the University of Buenos Aires released a report on April 5 criticizing the media's coverage of the 21-day agricultural sector lockout (see reftel and previous for Embassy reporting on the agricultural strike). Through its analysis of newspaper and television coverage, the School of Social Sciences reports that the media attempted to "portray the government as authoritarian, and the demands of the people (protesting) as more democratic." The report declares the presence of "unacceptable examples of discriminatory treatment of social actors." It accuses the press of subtly attempting to cause destabilization through a one-sided approach to the agricultural crisis. ¶3. (SBU) On April 4, CFK met with the school's dean, Federico Schuster, and invited his school to participate in an organization created in November 2006 "to detect discriminatory attitudes in the media." This body, which is an organization under the executive branch, includes the Federal Committee on Broadcasting (COMFER),the Institute Against Discrimination and Xenophobia (INADI),and the Council of Women, and claims its purpose is to monitor the work of the free media, although it had been largely inactive since its inception. Its reanimation, however, in the wake of CFK's and other administration officials' very critical reaction to media coverage is generating and concern that the GOA is attempting to exercise control of the media and restrict freedom of the press. ¶4. (U) In her recent public speeches during and after the 21-day farm strike, President Kirchner sharply criticized the media's coverage of the agricultural crisis as biased towards the protestors. While she assured citizens that they deserve to read varied opinions and stories, she urged the media to "reject and avoid discriminatory practices." President Kirchner claimed that the media coverage served to increase the tension between the farmers and the GOA during the lockout. ¶5. (U) CFK's specific anti-media remarks on April 1 come following the publication of a caricature of the President in leading daily "Clarin." The drawing, created by respected cartoonist Hermenegildo Sabat, appeared earlier that day, and shows the President with an "X" across her mouth and, on the side of her face, the profile of her husband, ex-president Nestor Kirchner, alluding to the "dual command" of the presidency. CFK publicly stated she was offended by the "X" across her mouth, which she took as a "mafia-style" message that she should not speak out. ¶6. (U) An organization called "Youth K" led by the Kirchners' son, Maximo, convened on Friday to launch a public campaign against leading daily, Clarin and the 24 hour news TV channel of the Clarin media group. Representatives from more than 40 organizations participated in the demonstration. There, ex-president Nestor Kirchner raised a poster criticizing Clarin. Many posters displayed the slogan "All negative," playing on the phrase "All news." Participants defended their actions saying that they only used words rather than violence to make their point. ¶7. (U) The media has launched a vigorous defense of press freedom in response to presidential discourse. In their statements, news sources and professional press organizations defended the right of the press to speak out freely, declaring that freedom of the press is essential for the development of a democratic society. They protest that the media needs to be allowed to express information as well as their own opinions. Therefore, the CFK administration should respect this liberty. The statements and editorial comments profess that the government's attempts to accuse the press of discriminatory articles only reinforces the media's characterization of the current government's authoritarian attitudes. ¶8. (SBU) Comment: Both Kirchners have had a rocky relationship with the Argentine media. CFK's latest comments and the creation of this "observatory" for discrimination in the media give credence to commentators' claims of the administration's intolerance towards those who do not share their views. Concerns have been deepened by reports that the GOA will soon introduce a new law to govern concentration of media ownership. Local and regional media organizations such the Inter American Press Association have criticized the Kirchners for several years over their antagonistic attitude toward the media and less-than-transparent manipulation of the government's large official advertising budget. The creation of this new media organization continues this trend. Embassy will keep a close eye on this issue. End Comment. WAYNE