Open discussion on the eve of a new road transport strike highlighted a stark clash between Marc Calderó and Manuel Hernández, a spokesperson for the National Platform for the Defense of the Transport Sector. The situation grew tense as Calderó contemplated a live interview with Hernández on the program Speak Up, only to see the exchange derail after early, sharp exchanges on air.
From the moment Hernández took the floor, he directed a fierce rebuke at the media. He argued that as a public channel, the press should not distort editorial lines or minimize the issues affecting the sector. In his view, reporting harmed freedom of information and presented a biased portrayal of events.
Calderó attempted to steer the conversation with calm questions, but the host encountered a blunt reaction from Hernández, who challenged the host’s ability to keep the discourse fair. The program’s presenter was confronted with accusations that the guest believed he was being provoked into producing conflict rather than engaging in constructive dialogue.
As the confrontation escalated, Hernández refused to answer several questions, insisting that the host listen to him first. He warned that a broader discussion would be needed for his responses to be heard and understood, implying that the format itself risked reducing his ability to convey the sector’s realities.
In a firm stance, Calderó reminded Hernández that thousands of families were watching and that a respectful tone was essential to maintaining a meaningful dialogue. He asserted that the program and its audience deserved a balanced treatment, cautioning against any approach that might undermine the credibility of journalism or the channel’s reporting standards.
The voices from the exchange did not soften. Hernández described the interview as a potential platform for misinformation and suggested that the program was intoxicated by its own editorial choices. He warned that continuing in this vein might require reconsidering how the news was presented, implying that the newsroom needed to reexamine its approach to the transportation debate.
The tension persisted as Calderó faced the challenge of maintaining control over the interview. He asserted that journalists should not be required to accept a one-sided narrative and that the coverage of the transport sector deserved careful and responsible reporting. In responding, Calderó indicated that the interview could not proceed under terms that he felt compromised the integrity of journalistic practice and the responsibilities of the broadcaster.
Unable to reach a productive conclusion, Calderó concluded the live segment. He later commended the Hablando Claro newsroom for their continued commitment to reporting on the issue, emphasizing that the program’s aim was to inform the public despite the hurdles of the discussion. Lourdes Maldonado, who participated in the event, supported the decision, noting that some conversations simply cannot unfold as planned when the participants refuse to engage in a constructive manner. This summary reflects the broadcaster’s assessment of the episode and its broader implications for coverage of the ongoing transport sector dispute. [citation attribution]