“Cintora, I’d rather eat shit, you’re not going to humiliate me anymore”: a journalist leaves the program ‘Malas lenguas noche’ on La 2 in tears

On Saturday night, during the debate about the statements of Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the PP, on workplace absenteeism, journalist Marta Gómez Montero left the set of Malas lenguas noche, Jesús Cintora’s program broadcast on La 2, in tears. The host gave the floor to the panelist to hear her opinion on the matter, and she said: “I’m not going to answer, Jesús, I’m sorry, you’re not going to humiliate me again, I feel absolutely humiliated. I have endured for a long time, I have endured to pay the bills, I have endured for my children.” It was at this moment that Gómez began to cry but managed to continue. “But I can’t take it anymore. There is a magnificent book called The Colonel Has No One to Write To. She, the woman, asks at the end… she wanted to sell the rooster… ‘What are we going to eat?’. ‘Shit,’ says the protagonist. Well, I, Cintora, prefer to eat shit.”

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While Gómez leaves the set in tears, Cintora looks at her and manages to say: “But what’s wrong with you, Marta?”. Then he turns to the camera and states: “Marta Gómez Montero has decided to leave, she will know.” The host tries to continue with the debate, giving the floor to fellow eldiario.es journalist Esther Palomera who, with a very serious face, adds: “This is not a pleasant situation for any of us here. To keep the pace of this…”. And the conversation continues.

Reactions on social media began during the broadcast on Saturday night, so Cintora himself interrupted the program again to try to close the matter. “They tell me that what happened with Marta Gómez Montero is being talked about a lot, logically. I don’t understand what happened, I honestly say. With all the affection and with the apologies that are appropriate if she felt bad, but I only made a gesture for her to wait her turn. All colleagues are asked not to interrupt others, not to speak under their breath, and to respect turns. Only that, nothing more. From there, she decided to leave. She is very welcome to return to this program whenever she wants, I say it with all affection. These things happen live and we tell them because there is nothing to hide,” said the host.

The conversation on social media continues this Sunday. On one hand, messages of support for the journalist from colleagues and politicians follow, including the PP spokesperson in Congress, Ester Muñoz, who stated on X: “Humiliations and mistreatment live, constant. Paid with our money. They say they are progress. Progress is not humiliating women because they don’t defend Sánchez. They are ‘well paid’ precisely to carry out this form of propaganda and pressure. This is not journalism.”

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On the other hand, other moments of Gómez Montero on the program are also shared, as well as other controversies typical of current affairs panels such as those involving journalists Ana Cabanilles and Ernesto Ekaizer on previous programs.

At midday on Sunday, Cintora also turned to his X account to reiterate his apologies to the journalist. “In Malas Lenguas there is and will always be room for all opinions. Marta Gómez Montero is a good journalist and colleague who participates very often in our program. After doing so privately, I want to express my apologies for the bad moment. Marta has my friendship and the doors of the program open,” he wrote. The apology message was joined by José Pablo López, president of RTVE: “Dear Marta, private apologies are not enough; that is why I want to do it publicly as well, hug you, and put myself at your entire disposal for whatever you need. We have known each other for years: you are a magnificent professional and an excellent person. RTVE will continue to be a space where your voice and your talent will be valued.”

The Saturday night edition of Malas lenguas has been climbing positions in the audience of the prime time of this day for several weeks now. This Saturday it ranked fourth (5.7%, 403,000 viewers) ahead of its main competitor laSexta Xplica (3.6%, 257,000 viewers).

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