ADEPA denounced advertising exclusions by state-owned companies

The Argentine Association of Newspaper Entities (ADEPA) expressed its concern over the exclusion of some media outlets, including Editorial Perfil , from advertising for state-owned companies such as YPF, Aerolíneas Argentinas, and Banco Nación. The organization denounced that this situation could constitute discriminatory treatment and violate the principles of equity and transparency in the use of public funds.

According to the statement released by ADEPA, in addition to the lack of current contracts, Perfil was also not included among the media outlets whose debts incurred before December 10, 2023, were canceled, which—they warn—contradicts the principle of legal continuity of state acts.

"The concern is that this exclusion could represent an editorial sanction or an unequal practice, which goes against international standards and the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court," stated the organization, which represents a large portion of the country's media outlets.

Some government officials have justified these decisions as the actions of commercial companies . However, ADEPA emphasized that these are companies with majority ownership by the national government , subject to public oversight and institutional accountability standards.

Furthermore, they questioned whether, if these were truly commercial decisions, hiring decisions should be based on market logic. "Excluding media outlets that are considered by other companies in the same private sector is a clear indication of possible editorial discrimination," ADEPA warned.

The entity also recalled that it had already sent a letter to the presidential spokesperson in March, expressing these concerns, but that so far there have been no corrections from the companies involved.

ADEPA concluded that official advertising, even when it comes from state-owned companies and not directly from the state, must be governed by objective criteria and avoid any form of favoritism or punishment . "This is established by international organizations such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights," they emphasized.

The situation is causing concern in the industry, as it once again raises the debate about the use of official advertising as a tool for political pressure or discrimination, a recurring theme in the relationship between the media and those in power.