Between 180 and 200 inspectors of the AFIP tax collecting agency showed up at the headquarters of Clarín newspaper, in an operation classified as "routine", although the newspaper reported it as an "intimidation" due to a conflict it holds with the government.

The government is looking for Congress to approve a controversial bill to decentralise the media sector. If passed, the bill will affect the big media conglomerates, such as Clarín Group.

The operation coincides with the publication of compromising information for Ricardo Echegaray who, aside from being head of the AFIP, is also in charge of the irregularities denounced by Clarín newspaper of the ONCCA farm trade control agency, which allowed 10 million pesos in subsidies to be paid to a company without authorization.

"We are truly surprised (...) These types of inspections have never occurred in all of Clarín's history as a newspaper," said Clarín's manager of External Communications Martín Etchevers to a local TV station.
"The illegal use of government organisms to attack our companies is a shameful custom," he added.

The newspaper's general editor, Ricardo Kirschbaum, enrolled the agency's fiscal action in a framework of "intimidation" and government "harassment."

Inspectors arrived in the building where the Clarín, La Razón, and Olé -also property of Clarín Group- newsrooms are found.

An AFIP tax collection agency source told journalists that a massive operation in Clarín was "routine" and that its purpose was to "relieve personnel."

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, as well as her predecessor and husband, Néstor Kirchner, constantly criticise part of the press for the way in which it informs about government-related issues, and considers Clarín as part of the opposition.

Buenos Aires City Mayor, Mauricio Macri, said the operation "feeds levels of violence and confrontation." According to deputy-elect Francisco de Narváez, it is "a sample of the instruments the State uses to condition." Margarita Stolbizer, depute-elect for Buenos Aires province, defined it as "abuse of power," and Patricia Bullrich as "violent and anti-democratic."

• Gov't probes alleged irregularities in subsidies