Former TV Executive Accused of Censorship and Hostility Towards Journalists and Filmmakers
A recently surfaced video has ignited controversy, revealing a former television executive allegedly boasting about using her position to censor programming and disparage colleagues. The footage, circulating widely on social media since Friday, features Silvia Viera, a former host and executive at América TV, making hostile remarks about journalist Diego Martínez and actress/filmmaker Tana Schémbori.
The video’s emergence comes after Viera’s dismissal from América TV in 2023 following multiple complaints of mistreatment. The clip depicts Viera speaking in a derogatory manner about both Martínez and Schémbori, and explicitly claiming she leveraged her authority to suppress content she disliked.
According to the footage, Viera actively sought to prevent Martínez’s program from airing. “Damn, I already banned that program from coming out. Diego Martínez! What did that man do apart from photosynthesizing every day? ‘No!’, I said, that program is not going to come out. When there’s nothing left on the grid, use it,” she stated. This alleged behavior raises serious questions about editorial independence and the potential for abuse of power within the media industry.
Viera’s comments extended to Schémbori, the director of acclaimed films such as 7 Boxes and The Searchers. While acknowledging Schémbori’s filmmaking talent, Viera dismissed her personally, stating, “No, Tana Schémbori can go out, it doesn’t warm me up at all, they can put in… that she is stupid, she is stupid, but that she makes good films, she does, but Diego Martínez… Why don’t they call me?”
The video also contains a direct threat related to Martínez’s show. “That program comes out and I find out that there is still a program on the grid, your head is going to hang from a stake like that,” Viera reportedly said. This statement has prompted widespread condemnation and calls for accountability.
The incident underscores the ongoing debate surrounding power dynamics and ethical conduct within the television industry. The allegations against Viera highlight the potential for personal biases to influence editorial decisions and the importance of safeguarding journalistic integrity.
