Canal Eleven appeals to FGR for damages after recovery of facilities; starts work to restore operations

The Canal Once has turned to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office (FGR) following reports of damage to its historic archives after more than two months of occupation by students from the National Institute of Politechnic Education (IPN). The channel's director, Renata Turrent, announced through a video posted on her X account that the Videoteca, which houses a 67-year-old collection of audiovisual material, was found to have suffered alleged damages during the occupation. Turrent stated that after the facilities were freed, the channel notified the FGR to conduct a general inspection of the premises. In the video, she explained that approximately 120 workers and herself entered the Channel 11 offices following over two months of occupation by a group of students who demanded issues unrelated to the broadcaster’s mandate. “We informed the Federal Prosecutor’s Office so they could inspect the installations, including the Videoteca, where they reportedly found presumed damages and considerable disorder,” she said. Beatriz Eugenia Cid, responsible for both internal and external Videoteca operations, confirmed witnessing the initial assessment of the building conditions alongside authorities. She expressed concern over potential losses, stating, “If this is a great loss, we will start an inventory of what is damaged and what remains. We need to know whether anything was taken.” Turrent added that efforts would begin immediately to recover and restore as much as possible from the affected areas. The Videoteca holds part of Mexico’s national audiovisual memory and belongs to all citizens. In a separate statement, Canal Once announced via a press release that work had begun on Monday to resume operations within its facilities and gradually reintroduce its productions into broadcasting platforms. This followed the peaceful recovery of the property, which had been occupied for 74 days, with the presence of personnel from the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) and a notary public. The channel emphasized that none of its areas, including the Videoteca, were accessed prior to the arrival of the authorities. During early inspections, it confirmed that presumed damages were detected in its historical audiovisual archive, which are being documented and integrated into the investigation file. The station noted that in the coming days, it will disclose the results of the technical evaluation of its facilities and the condition of its audiovisual heritage, along with the actions it plans to take for recovery and preservation. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by cultural institutions in maintaining their collections amid prolonged disruptions. As investigations continue, the focus remains on assessing the extent of the damage and determining the necessary steps to safeguard the nation’s audiovisual legacy.