Judge sides with Argentina against Grupo Clarin

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Argentina's government has won a key ruling against its leading media critic, with a trial judge ruling for the first time that a three-year-old law against media monopolies is constitutional.

Judge Horacio Alfonso also ordered "the immediate lifting of all injunctions" granted to Grupo Clarin, Cablevision and other branches of the company.

Clarin and President Cristina Kirchner have been locked in legal battles over the law, which requires all companies to divest properties that exceed limits designed to increase competition in the media industry.

Clarin plans an immediate appeal.

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