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Florencia Peña fired from Luzu TV over false Messi Sr. death report

Florencia Peña fired from Luzu TV over false Messi Sr. death report

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Outcome reported
  • Actress Florencia Peña was dismissed from Luzu TV after broadcasting false news about Lionel Messi's father's death.
  • Luzu TV's founder, Nicolás Occhiato, expressed anger and distanced himself from the error, stating the channel's commitment to responsible communication.
  • The Messi family confirmed Jorge Messi is recovering and requested privacy, condemning the "lack of sensitivity, respect, and scruples" from media outlets.

Argentine actress Florencia Peña has been dismissed from the streaming channel Luzu TV following her broadcast of unverified and false news regarding the health of Jorge Messi, the father of football superstar Lionel Messi.

Nicolás Occhiato, the founder and general producer of Luzu TV, publicly expressed his indignation over the incident. He stated that the dissemination of sensitive information without proper verification is unacceptable. Consequently, Luzu TV's authorities decided to dismiss all responsible parties, with Peña opting to step down voluntarily. The channel reaffirmed its commitment to responsible, respectful, and rigorous communication.

Peña had reported the erroneous news about Jorge Messi's alleged death amidst a wave of rumors about his health. Shortly after, the Messi family issued a statement clarifying that Jorge Messi is indeed facing health issues but is under medical supervision and is recovering favorably. The family requested privacy and expressed deep discomfort with the speculation and irresponsible media interest surrounding the situation.

The Messi family emphasized that only close family members possess accurate information and urged the public and media to disregard any unconfirmed reports. They stressed the need for responsibility, prudence, and humanity during this sensitive time, stating that health matters should not be subject to irresponsible speculation. The family thanked those who have shown genuine care and concern, reiterating their request for confidentiality.

Me indigna igual que a ustedes.

— Nicolás OcchiatoThe founder of Luzu TV expressed his anger regarding the false news.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.