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Gender perspective, access to media for diverse groups, representations and stereotypes, hate speech, are some of the aspects that make up the rights of audiences to plural communication.  

In a context where freedom of expression is threatened in Argentina, with direct verbal attacks on journalists—especially women—from the government, and with the shutdown of the national news agency Télam, the Ombudsman's Office for the Public is convening a new public hearing on May 10. This year's theme is "In defense of the right to communication." The hearings will last three days, with both virtual and in-person participation.

People from every sector directly or indirectly linked to audiovisual media can participate; such as radio and television audiences; as workers, producers and managers; from different types of institutions, organizations and communities. 

We spoke with journalist and writer Miriam Lewin, head of the Public Defender's Office, about the current state of communication rights in a time of high polarization and the role these audiences play in their defense.

– Why is this year's hearing premise "In defense of the right to communication"?  

The situation regarding freedom of expression and diversity, the plurality of voices, has changed markedly and for the worse. Violent messages from official accounts directed at journalists, especially women journalists, though not exclusively, have a chilling effect. There are topics that cannot be addressed without journalists being accused of lying or being corrupt. The virulence of these accusations results in a detriment to freedom of expression. 

On the other hand, the suspension of official advertising affects citizens' right to be informed, for example, about vaccination campaigns or registration for social benefits. It also threatens the survival of commercial media, and even more so community, cooperative, and non-profit media, which already face serious difficulties in securing funding. It is impossible to obtain financing through private advertising because the deep economic crisis is impacting these sources, which were already declining. If we add to this the cancellation of ENACOM's development funds , the situation is very serious. Only the most powerful media outlets, controlled by concentrated capital, will have a chance of survival. The closure of the official news agency Télam, which produced news, radio bulletins, and general materials to provide nationwide coverage, along with the uncertain situation of public television and Radio Nacional, completes this negative picture.

– What about the right to communication and freedom of expression for women, sexual minorities, and indigenous peoples, who are often labeled as enemies? 

– Indigenous media outlets are in danger of extinction, in a context where these communities have been criminalized, despite their demands and rights being enshrined in the 1994 Constitution. We are working to support and train these media outlets. We have developed a bilingual, intercultural multimedia production center in the province of Neuquén, with Mapuche communities, which we will present at World Press Freedom Day, organized by UNESCO in Santiago, Chile. Women and LGBTQ+ people also find themselves in a very precarious situation in our country. Gender perspectives and inclusive language have been banned. The domino effect of the resignations of gender editors, the non-compliance with the Gender Equality and Trans Quota Law, and the dismissal of even trans people in various government agencies complete a profoundly risky picture.

– Why is it important to participate in public hearings?

– Public hearings are a forum where the Ombudsman's Office sits down to listen to the public. And with that input, we guide or redirect our work. The Ombudsman's Office is there to listen, take notes, receive complaints, proposals, and opinions, and channel them when they pertain to the media, in order to strengthen existing lines of work within the organization or create new ones. 

For example, we 've started receiving more complaints about environmental issues , especially in certain regions like Patagonia, the Northwest, and the Northeast, which wasn't the case before. That's why the Ombudsman's Office began strengthening training programs for journalists on this topic. The training organized in the province of Neuquén had over 200 participants. On another front, transgender and transvestite people have also become more visible, demanding appropriate , respectful, and informed coverage of their issues. Therefore, in conjunction with transgender and transvestite collectives in various regions of the country, we developed specific recommendations for the media.

– What other relevant aspects of the communication landscape have been revealed by audience results in recent years? What's been happening with hate speech, which was already emerging as a crucial issue last year, for example? 

Hate speech is growing and poisoning the public square, the agora where democratic debate should take place, free from cancellations and aggression, however passionate it may be. When it comes from those in power, this speech becomes more problematic, threatening, and dangerous. The UN Rabat Action Plan indicates that when analyzing the danger of hate speech, one must consider the context, the speaker, the content, the scope, and the imminence of concrete harm. In our country, we have polarization, a friend-enemy mentality. We must also consider the fact that this type of speech was issued by a high-ranking official. Third, we must consider the intention to stigmatize, criminalize, and segregate the object of the hate. Then there is irony, there is a sense of pleasure, an intention to cause harm . Fifth, we must consider the enormous number of followers the speaker of hate speech has. And regarding the imminence or probability of harm, we must also consider that journalists have been attacked during past demonstrations. And there was also an attempt on the life of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. For me, this makes the speeches we're referring to clearly hate speech and incitement to violence with a high probability of materializing in the real world.

This year, the public hearings will take place over three days. On May 10, in person: at the Argentine Association of Actors and Actresses, in Buenos Aires. On May 13 (for the Buenos Aires, Northeast, and Patagonia regions) and May 15 (Central, Northwest, and Cuyo regions), virtually.

You have until May 6th to register, at this link .