Chilean regulator fines TV+ for transphobic remarks

Chile's National Television Council (CNTV) has imposed a fine of 160 UTM, exceeding 11.4 million pesos, on the television channel TV+. The sanction follows transphobic comments made by Patricia Maldonado during the program ‘Tal Cual’ in January and April.

The CNTV ruled that the channel committed a television offense by allowing hate speech that “unjustifiably affected the fundamental rights of the person alluded to, disregarding the inherent personal dignity” of Deputy Emilia Schneider and former Big Brother participant Trinidad Cerda. While the channel attempted to defend the remarks as an exercise of freedom of expression, the regulator dismissed the argument, stating that such rights are limited when they infringe upon the rights of others.

The Movimiento de Integración y Liberación Homosexual (Movilh) welcomed the decision, stating that the resolution clarifies that freedom of expression is not a “blank check to denigrate, dehumanize, or deny the identity of trans people.” The organization has called for a public apology from the channel and the implementation of internal measures to prevent future incidents.