20/06/2026 16:49 - Entretenimiento
Conductor de televisión maduro con micrófono en mano hablando apasionadamente en un estudio de transmisión moderno con pantallas digitales de fondo y ambiente profesional
Mario Pergolini, one of Argentina's most respected television hosts and founder of media outlet Vorterix, publicly defended Florencia Peña during his show "Otro Día Perdido" on El Trece (Channel 13, one of Argentina's main broadcast networks). The controversy erupted after Peña erroneously announced the death of Jorge Messi, father of soccer legend Lionel Messi, on a live streaming program.
"I also spread a false news story about Phil Collins when I was starting out at Rock & Pop," Pergolini admitted, referencing his early days in radio. The veteran host criticized the pressure on media personalities to be first with breaking news, stating: "I also turn myself in to production if I say something outrageous." He defended streaming platforms as spaces where mistakes can happen and people can learn.
Florencia Peña is a well-known Argentine actress and television host. Luzu TV is a streaming channel founded by comedian Luis Giménez that has become hugely popular in Argentina, especially among younger audiences. Mario Pergolini is considered a pioneer of Argentine radio and television, having founded influential media outlets and hosted major programs since the 1980s.
Olga and Luzu TV represent a new wave of Argentine streaming content that has gained massive popularity, often rivaling traditional television in viewership. These platforms broadcast live for hours, creating more spontaneous and unfiltered content than traditional media.
This incident occurred during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Just two days earlier, on June 16, 2026, Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria in Kansas City, matching German striker Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals and playing his 200th match with the Argentine national team.
The Messi family was already going through a difficult time due to Jorge Messi's health issues. Lionel Messi's parents were notably absent from the stadium stands during the match against Algeria.
Pergolini's reference to Phil Collins resonates with Argentine media history. In his early days at Rock & Pop (an iconic Argentine radio station), he mistakenly announced the British musician's death, an error that became a learning experience he still references decades later. This precedent adds weight to his defense of Peña, showing that even the most experienced media figures can make mistakes early in their careers.
Migue Granados, host of "Olga" (one of Argentina's most popular streaming shows, comparable to late-night talk shows in format), stated that "anyone can make a mistake" and confirmed that verification protocols in his program remain unchanged after the incident.
Florencia Peña announced her departure from Luzu TV and canceled her scheduled trip to the World Cup. The incident has sparked broader discussions in Argentina about the responsibilities of live streaming and the pressures of real-time news reporting in the digital age.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
