The recent departures of Luis Megid and Blanca Rosa Vilchez from Univision have sparked widespread alarm in the news division of the Spanish language TV network.
After more than four decades with the company, these veteran journalists part of the team that covers national news have decided to accept retirement packages, leaving behind a legacy they spent years building, reported the website MediaMoves, that monitors Latino media.
Their last day at the company was November 21, 2024, and while their departure marks the end of a significant chapter in their lives, it has also raised concerns about the network's future.
Megid began his career at Univision as a reporter for KDTV-14 in San Francisco. His team earned a prestigious Peabody Award for their coverage of the 1985 Mexico earthquake. He was based in Washington DC.
Throughout his career, Megid stood out for his ability to narrate complex stories about natural disasters, immigration, and politics, becoming a pillar of Hispanic journalism.
On the other hand, Peruvian-born Vilchez started her career at WXTV 41, Univision's local New York station, where she arrived after becoming the first female news director in her country when at the age of 22, she directed 90 Segundos a daily newscast.
Based on New York City, where she was Univision's senior correspondent, she gained widespread recognition for her live coverage of the September 11 attacks. Her bravery in reporting from the scene during one of history's most critical moments cemented her status as an iconic journalist.
The departure of these two news industry giants is not the only unsettling development. Other prominent journalists, including Daniel Morcate, Jorge Mota, and Susana Mikle, have also all left Univision.
Closure of the San Francisco Office
According to a report from Media Moves, the official closure of Univision's San Francisco office has intensified rumors of looming mass layoffs and potential cancellations of flagship programs like 'Aquí y Ahora' and 'Al Punto,' hosted by Jorge Ramos.
Ramos' job is the next big figure to go. The iconic news anchor announced recently that his four decades in Univision will come to an end next week. His current co-anchor, Ilia Calderón, will host the main newscast by herself.
An anonymous source described the newsroom atmosphere as one of "absolute terror," with many employees fearing for their jobs.
The source revealed that layoffs initially planned for late November have been postponed to early December, fueling further speculation about the network's future.
Uncertainty also surrounds popular programs like 'El Gordo y La Flaca' as rumors suggest its frequency may be reduced to a weekly format. This possibility has been circulating for months.
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