Daniel Ayala Steps Down as Head of Uruguay’s Public Radios

Daniel Ayala has resigned as director of Uruguay’s Public Radios after
weeks of tension over budget allocations. His departure was first reported
by journalist Jaime Clara on X and later confirmed by government sources to
la diaria.

Ayala had already offered his resignation and had been on leave for about a
month, citing disagreements with Erika Hoffmann, president of the
Audiovisual Communication Service (Secan) and director of Channel 5.

The dispute centered on funding priorities. Hoffmann’s leadership has been
criticized for channeling resources toward television at the expense of
radio. Ayala himself noted in 2025 that when he assumed the role,
“resources from the radios were siphoned off to television. A number of
contracts were terminated, and many staff members ended up working in
television or digital.”

In response to the resignation, Gerardo Sotelo, a deputy from the
Independent Party, announced plans to request public access to Secan’s
five-year budget. He said the move aims to clarify the criteria behind its
drafting and assess whether Ayala’s demand for greater funding was
justified. Sotelo confirmed he will submit the request next week,
regardless of Ayala’s departure.

Ayala’s exit highlights ongoing tensions within Uruguay’s state-run media,
where questions of resource distribution between radio and television
remain unresolved.

--- Text adapted from the publication of "La Diario", Montevideo press
media.

https://ladiaria.com.uy/politica/articulo/2026/2/renuncio-el-director-de-radios-publicas-daniel-ayala/