Peruvian television host Magaly Medina must pay a fine of 57,216 soles to former professional footballer Luis Cuto Guadalupe after losing a defamation lawsuit in Lima.
The Peruvian court sentenced Medina to a three-year prison term, which has been suspended for two years provided she adheres to mandatory rules of conduct. If she violates the court-imposed conditions, the suspension will be revoked and she will serve effective prison time.
In addition to the fine of S/57,216, which Medina must pay within ten days of receiving official court notification, the judge ordered her to pay civil damages to Guadalupe. The exact amount of the civil reparation was not disclosed in the official notice and will be established at a later date by the Judiciary.
Medina must pay the civil damages during her two-year probation period. During this time, the presenter of Magaly TV, La Firme on the Peruvian network ATV must comply with several restrictions, including prohibitions on changing her residence or leaving Peru without judicial authorization. She is also required to sign in every 30 days at the Superior Court of Justice of Lima and must avoid making any comments that could constitute slander or defamation against Guadalupe.
Background to the Legal Dispute
The legal battle stems from an edition of Medina's television show broadcast on May 15, 2023. The program aired footage showing Charlene Castro, who was married to Guadalupe at the time, entering a lodging facility with another man. The segment was presented as an ampay, a common term in Peruvian entertainment media for caught-on-camera footage of public figures in secretive or controversial situations.
Following the broadcast, Medina made several comments on air regarding the former defender. Guadalupe subsequently initiated legal proceedings for defamation and slander, alleging that the presenter had publicly mocked his religious faith following the exposure of his then-wife's infidelity. Medina rejected the accusation, maintaining that her television remarks were directed solely at the infidelity itself rather than his personal faith.
Guadalupe's Public Statement
Following the court ruling in his favor, Guadalupe released a statement on social media confirming that the Judiciary had ruled against Medina. He stated that justice had been done, adding that the television mockery had damaged his personal honor and that of his family.
Guadalupe stated that the legal victory represented a broader warning for Peruvian television media. He explained that the verdict should serve as a reminder that the private lives of individuals cannot be publicly exposed for commercial gain at the expense of personal dignity and reputation.
Magaly Medina is a veteran Peruvian television host known for covering celebrity gossip and entertainment scandals on ATV. Luis Cuto Guadalupe is a former Peruvian international footballer who played for major clubs including Universitario de Deportes before retiring to run a restaurant business.
