Justice validated fines against Mega for broadcasting violent content

Chile's Court of Appeals has unanimously upheld fines imposed on broadcaster Megamedia SA, the operator of the Mega channel. The fines, totaling 400 UTM (approximately 57 million pesos), were issued by the National Television Council (CNTV) for airing violent journalistic content during the "children's protection" time slot.

Judges Guillermo de la Barra, Lidia Poza, and Pablo Toledo dismissed Megamedia's claims that the CNTV's actions were illegal or disproportionate. The court's ruling emphasized the constitutional priority of safeguarding the "spiritual and intellectual formation of children." It stated that during hours dedicated to protecting minors, the transmission of violent television content must be excluded and, if necessary, repressed.

The cases in question stem from the coverage of a double homicide that occurred in March 2025 in Graneros, O'Higgins Region. Mega aired reports on the crime on its "Meganoticias Alerta" program and its morning show "Mucho Gusto" on March 13, 2025. This coverage led to the CNTV's sanctions.

Separately, the same court recently acquitted Chilevisión, another broadcaster, which had also been sanctioned by the CNTV. Chilevisión faced penalties for allegedly "re-victimizing the families" of the victims in its reporting on the Graneros crime.

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Appears clearly that, in the balance between freedoms and restrictions protecting the most diverse legal assets highlighted in the interest of the constitutional legislator, that which watches over the 'spiritual and intellectual formation of children' has preeminence. Hence, during the time for the care of children and adolescents, the transmission of violent television content must be marginalized and, if necessary, repressed.