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00:00 Crammed into the street in front of the Telem headquarters, hundreds of protesters vented
00:05 their anger at the state news agency's suspension.
00:10 The outlet's 700 staff were told to down tools for at least a week as the government works
00:16 to finalise its closure.
00:18 The press union says it's a blow for democracy.
00:21 "We're counting on the support of MPs, senators, governors and all our allies because Telem
00:28 is crucial.
00:29 It plays a strategic role in the communication industry.
00:33 This isn't just about silencing a public news outlet, it's about reshaping the entire media
00:38 landscape."
00:41 On Sunday night, journalists discovered that two of Telem's buildings had been fenced off
00:46 by police while the agency's website was taken down.
00:51 It comes after President Javier Millet labelled the agency a mouthpiece for "Kirchnerist propaganda",
00:57 referring to the leftist political ideology of former president Cristina Kirchner.
01:02 Millet, who took power in December, is on a mission to slash state spending, deregulate
01:08 the economy and close government-funded organisations he sees as serving no purpose.
01:15 "This week we will finish the plan that will fulfil the president's will, which is to close
01:21 Telem Agency.
01:24 It has nothing to do with freedom of speech, press freedom or anything that goes against
01:29 democratic basis."
01:30 Millet's spokesperson also said that Telem had suffered losses of up to 20 billion pesos
01:40 or roughly 21.8 million euros in 2024 without giving details.
01:46 In February, the government announced it would modify the structure of all state media, including
01:51 Tel-Am and national television and radio stations.