A controversial comment on Uruguayan television has prompted Canal 5 to demand a public correction from Buscadores, a privately produced programme shown on the public broadcaster. The channel says the remarks risk causing harm to trans people and their families, and has also asked the programme to give them space to share their experiences.
Canal 5 responds to a comment on Buscadores
Canal 5 has publicly rejected remarks made by presenter Fernando Vilar about a hypothetical child questioning their gender. The comments, delivered during an edition of Buscadores, spread widely online and drew criticism for treating a deeply personal family situation as a punchline. [2], [4]
The channel said the remarks were inappropriate for a programme carried by a public broadcaster, warning that comments of this kind could stigmatise trans people and cause distress to their families, particularly children and teenagers. Its statement also stressed that Vilar's words did not represent Canal 5's institutional position. [3], [5]
What happened during the broadcast?
The exchange took place during a discussion with Lorena Quintana, a former vice-presidential candidate and coordinator of the Fortaleciendo familias initiative. Asked about gender policies in education, Quintana argued in favour of strengthening families. Vilar then described a hypothetical parent whose young child says they feel like a girl, and raised a violent response as a rhetorical question. [2], [7]
That framing quickly became the focus of public criticism. The issue wasn't simply disagreement over education policy: the reference to violence in a conversation about a child's gender identity was widely condemned as hurtful and irresponsible. [4], [6]
Why the broadcaster says a correction matters
Canal 5 drew a distinction between open debate and giving legitimacy to language that may contribute to discrimination or violence. It said freedom of expression and a range of viewpoints should go hand in hand with respect for people's dignity and rights. [3], [5]
That distinction is particularly important when the subject is children. Public conversation about gender identity can shape how families and young people feel seen and treated, so the way a presenter frames a hypothetical can carry weight well beyond the studio. [4], [7]
The request goes beyond an apology
Buscadores is produced privately, rather than made by the public television service itself. Canal 5 said it had formally asked the programme's management and production team to issue a public correction on the show, in a slot of equivalent prominence. [2], [3]
The channel also asked the programme to create an opportunity for trans people and their families to share their experiences and perspectives. Separately, it plans reflection and awareness sessions for presenters, producers and content teams, including those working on co-produced programmes. [3], [5]
A wider conversation about responsibility on air
The response puts a practical question to broadcasters and programme-makers: what does responsible debate look like when a subject touches people's safety and dignity? Canal 5's proposed answer combines a correction with listening to those directly affected, rather than treating the controversy as a passing social-media storm. [3], [4]
Whether Buscadores follows through remains the next point to watch. For audiences, the episode is a reminder that a public platform comes with responsibilities, even when a programme is produced by an outside company. [2], [5]
A meaningful correction should make room for the people most affected to speak for themselves.
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