14/06/2026 09:47 - Entretenimiento
Estudio de televisión con micrófono sobre mesa, cámaras y luces profesionales en segundo plano, ambiente serio de programa periodístico
Before diving into the details, it's important to understand who the main players are in this developing story that has captured Argentina's attention:
A well-known Argentine journalist and television personality. She has worked in various media outlets and currently hosts a streaming program called "Qué Miedo" on Border Periodismo, a digital journalism platform she helped create.
One of Argentina's most influential television hosts and media entrepreneurs. He founded Cuatro Cabezas, a major production company responsible for hit TV shows. He currently hosts "Otro Día Perdido" on El Trece (Channel 13), one of Argentina's largest television networks.
During a live phone interview with the program SQP (broadcast on América TV, one of Argentina's major television channels), María Julia Oliván made a startling revelation. She reported being a victim of sexual harassment while working at Cuatro Cabezas between 2004 and 2007, specifically during 2005.
At the time of the incident, Oliván was 30 years old, was purchasing her first apartment, and was in debt – factors that added pressure to her professional situation.
"I made the comment not because of how he spoke 20 years ago in the media, but because of a personal experience I had working at Cuatro Cabezas in 2005, in his office, a quite unpleasant situation of sexual harassment. At that time, nobody reported those cases."— María Julia Oliván (translation)
The revelation came after Pergolini made comments about the "Ni Una Menos" movement during his program. "Ni Una Menos" (Spanish for "Not One Less") is a powerful Argentine feminist movement against femicide and gender violence that began in 2015 and has since spread across Latin America.
Cuatro Cabezas (Spanish for "Four Heads") was one of Argentina's most influential media production companies. Founded by Pergolini and his partners, it produced numerous successful television programs and launched the careers of many Argentine media personalities.
Oliván mentioned that Pergolini "never wanted to have a female secretary; he didn't like working with women", though she clarified she wasn't judging that preference.
In 2005, workplace harassment complaints were extremely rare in Argentina. The country's cultural and legal framework regarding gender violence was very different from today.
According to Oliván's account, after a work trip to Spain, she returned to Argentina and was fired from the production company. "They sent me to Spain to work right away, I came back and they fired me from Cuatro Cabezas," she stated.
The journalist explained that she never discussed the incident directly with Pergolini, despite crossing paths with him on several occasions afterward:
"This suffering led me to create Border. It strengthened me, and then I said: 'That's it'", she expressed about how she overcame the situation and channeled her experience into building her own media platform.
In her statement, Oliván also revealed that she experienced harassment from two former government ministers:
| Former Official | Background | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Juanjo Domínguez | Former minister during the early 2000s | Apologized to Oliván |
| Aníbal Fernández | Former Chief of Cabinet (2009-2011) under President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner | Never apologized |
Note: These figures are well-known in Argentine politics. Aníbal Fernández served in high-ranking positions during the Kirchner administration and has been a controversial figure in Argentine politics for years.
Mario Pergolini has not yet made any public statement regarding these accusations. The case emerges in a very different social context than 2005 – today, Argentina has stronger legal frameworks against workplace harassment, and the "Ni Una Menos" movement has created greater awareness and visibility around gender-based violence and workplace harassment.
Since 2005, Argentina has made significant strides in addressing gender violence and workplace harassment. The country legalized abortion in 2020, passed comprehensive legislation against femicide, and has seen a cultural shift where women feel more empowered to speak out about their experiences.
Oliván's courage in speaking out adds to a growing movement in Argentina where women are breaking their silence about past incidents that were previously normalized or ignored. Her story highlights how far society has come in twenty years – and how much work remains to be done.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
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