13/06/2026 15:59 - Entretenimiento
Dos periodistas argentinas en un estudio de televisión, una de pelo oscuro con expresión indignada y otra rubia defendiendo su posición, ambiente de programa de espectáculos con micrófonos y luces profesionales
The explosive dispute between María Julia Oliván and Yanina Latorre (two prominent figures in Argentine entertainment journalism) erupted after Mario Pergolini—one of Argentina's most influential television hosts—delivered a passionate feminist speech on his program Otro día perdido (Another Lost Day), broadcast on El Trece (Channel 13, one of Argentina's largest television networks).
Pergolini's comments came in response to nationwide protests against gender violence following the tragic femicide of Agostina Vega, a 14-year-old girl murdered in Córdoba (Argentina's second-largest city). Oliván, who worked at Pergolini's production company Cuatro Cabezas between 2004 and 2007, publicly recalled the harassment she experienced, triggering an immediate reaction from Latorre.
On her Border Periodismo channel (an independent journalism platform), Oliván was unequivocal: "Pressing someone against a wall without consent was wrong in 1980, 1990, 2000, or 2020," she stated, referring to the behaviors she attributes to the famous host.
Mario Pergolini is an iconic Argentine television host, producer, and radio personality. He founded Cuatro Cabezas (Four Heads), one of Argentina's most important production companies, responsible for hit shows like Caiga quien caiga (CQC), a satirical news program that was exported to multiple countries. He currently hosts Otro día perdido on El Trece.
The journalist detailed that she experienced "very unpleasant situations, within Pergolini's office and in other places" during her time at the production company. "Pergolini was 40 years old, not 20," she clarified, emphasizing the host's responsibility and maturity at the time.
Oliván added that "from that point on, I started planning how to no longer be on television, because of the aftermath," revealing that those experiences directly influenced her decision to leave traditional television.
"I work with cool people, I don't press anyone against the wall—employees who are 10 years younger than me—I don't degrade anyone, nor do I make advances toward people who aren't interested, because I'm also a married person," she contrasted.
Yanina Latorre—a well-known Argentine entertainment journalist famous for her celebrity gossip segments—from her program on El Observador (an Argentine news radio and website), attempted to contextualize the sexist behaviors of earlier eras:
"Guys, that's how all journalists were at that time. I'm not defending him. Remember Marcelo Tinelli's jokes, the little skirts, Jorge Lanata. Everyone was like that 20 years ago. I'm not blaming them."
Marcelo Tinelli is Argentina's most famous television host, often compared to Ryan Seacrest in the United States. His shows have historically featured segments with women in revealing clothing. Jorge Lanata is one of Argentina's most influential investigative journalists.
The entertainment journalist added: "But if the guy was one way 20 years ago and is different today, are we going to keep attacking him?" She acknowledged that Pergolini "was very machista" (sexist) and that "he didn't like working with women," but highlighted his current evolution by citing Evelyn Botto's participation in his program.
Regarding Oliván, Latorre fired back: "María Julia is very resentful, what's happening to her? She ends badly with everyone, attacks everyone."
The dispute escalated to X (formerly Twitter) where both journalists exchanged harsh accusations. Latorre pressured Oliván to formalize her complaint and compared her to Viviana Canosa (a controversial Argentine television host known for her conservative viewpoints).
"You call me 'Canosa' when you made a spectacle of Lanata's hospitalization—the journalist who validated you? Remember when you said you spoke to Perón? What would you do without hatred, Yanina? What's your added value? Latorre?" responded Oliván, referencing Juan Domingo Perón (Argentina's most famous president, who died in 1974—implying Oliván's supposed supernatural claim was absurd).
Latorre counterattacked: "Check what you write, journalism genius. And let me clarify, you misinformed one, I didn't say the thing about Perón. A lawyer said it on LAM." LAM (Argentine Afternoon Magazine) is a popular celebrity gossip show on America TV.
The clash continued with attacks on their careers: "I'd rather do 80 PNTs because I'm oversold, than live off government advertising like you do. You ended up alone on a streaming platform with public advertising money because no one will hire you," Latorre fired.
PNTs (Pautas No Tradicionales) are paid advertising segments integrated into television programs—a common but sometimes criticized practice in Argentine media. Latorre accused Oliván of receiving government advertising contracts (a controversial topic in Argentina, where media outlets receiving state advertising are sometimes seen as politically aligned).
Oliván closed: "If I weren't successful, I wouldn't have a streaming channel that gets advertising placements, and I'd have to be an employee of those who make deals with every government and read 80 PNTs on camera so they'd pay me a little salary. Kisses."
Mario Pergolini hosts Otro día perdido on El Trece and founded the production company Cuatro Cabezas, which was responsible for revolutionary programs like CQC (Caiga quien caiga), a format exported internationally. In recent years, he has adopted gender-aware discourse, contrasting with Oliván's accusations about his behavior in earlier decades.
Latorre noted that Pergolini "has changed today" and no longer maintains the macho behaviors attributed to him from the past.
The trigger was Pergolini's speech following the femicide of Agostina Vega, the 14-year-old girl murdered in Córdoba. Oliván considered it hypocritical for the host to speak about gender violence when, according to her account, he engaged in sexual harassment behaviors.
Oliván worked at Cuatro Cabezas between 2004 and 2007, the period when she places the harassment episodes.
Sources: Big Bang News | Exitoina
Alfredo S. Quiroga
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