Feb 20 • 19:46 UTC 🇦🇷 Argentina La Nacion (ES)

Setback for Julia Mengolini: Javier Milei can proceed with the defamation lawsuit against the journalist

The Argentine Court of Cassation has allowed President Javier Milei to move forward with a defamation lawsuit against journalist Julia Mengolini for remarks she made about him and his sister.

The Argentine Court of Cassation has ruled that President Javier Milei can proceed with a defamation lawsuit against journalist Julia Mengolini, rejecting her legal resource on a technical basis without addressing the merits of the case. This lawsuit stems from comments made by Mengolini during a television segment in May 2023, where she implied that Milei had an incestuous relationship with his sister. These remarks have caused significant controversy in the public sphere, given the serious nature of the allegations being made.

In her statements, Mengolini characterized Milei as a man living with eight dogs, suggesting that he has an inappropriate attachment to his sister, which he responded to by pursuing legal action against her for defamation. The Court's decision to reject her appeal is seen as a significant victory for Milei, potentially setting a precedent for how public figures may respond to alleged defamatory statements made by the media.

The implications of this case stretch beyond the personal conflict between Milei and Mengolini, raising discussions about freedom of expression, the repercussions for journalists in Argentina, and the boundaries of acceptable public discourse regarding political figures. As the lawsuit progresses, it may lead to increased scrutiny of the media's role in political discussions and the impact of such lawsuits on journalistic practices in the country.

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