Cesar Mascetti was a teacher for me, on television and in the profession. Also for a large litter of excellent colleagues who today continue his legacy.

He said this in the latest Telenoche broadcast. In that emotional final newscast – together with her inseparable and beloved Mónica – he affirmed an indelible maxim: “We must continue to do independent journalism to inform and to try to transform the country”.

The news of his death shocked us all.. Cesar, “the Gaucho”, left this Tuesday after a brilliant life and an excellent professional career.

He had countless virtues as a journalist. he taught us everything.

He went through his entire professional career: reporter, editor, he was in the eternal street guards, mobilero, creator of great stories – such as the discovery of George Harrison in Brazil – until he reached being the driver of a Telenoche that was devastating (on Channel 13). Number one.

All the families met at 8pm to find out through Monica and Cesar. absolute leadership.

Reached unmatched valuation peaks. It had memorable coverage and marked an era: his figure and his word had an unparalleled credibility in society.

A keeper of details

I was in the details. You spent long hours in pre-production for the news. Insistent and with a special virtue: he usually knew the topics and, if not, it was reported in the details of each note.

Cesare was off-road. It broadcast a “neighborhood power outage” as easily as a government political crisis. He had the “gift” of being able to tell the news with great simplicity and pure sincerity. So she has achieved something that few get: go beyond the screen and be part of the Argentine families.

I had to make my TV debut with César. As a pilot of Telenoche he managed to get the best out of you. I asked you the right and exact question so that one shines: “So you can explain, so you can make yourself understood, even on complex issues.”

It started from a premise: the better everyone would report, the better the news would be. No meanness or creases.

We share a lot of important news: convertibility, the attacks on the embassy of Israel and Amia, the key presidential elections … And the 2001 crisis: almost twelve uninterrupted hours on the airrecounting that dramatic moment of the helicopter and the fall of Fernando de la Rúa.

Always plumb. Always accurate. always accurate. With a pinch of humor and malice necessary to avoid falling into solemnity. I made you look but the best thing about Cesar was not that. The professional wasn’t the only thing.

The best thing about César was “the person”. Fun, simple and affable, self-confident: he has created a work environment thanks to which we were all happy to participate in Telenoche.

He opened San Pedro – his place in the world – to everyone. Barbecue, intimate encounters and the traditional and unforgettable New Year celebrations for the entire – two hundred – news crew.

We shared some passions: football, basketball and swimming. César was a Boca fan and I was a Racing fan: There were loads, jokes and suggestions in the air.

Every time I went to the GEBA – our club – everyone asked me about Caesar.

Partner – who for generational reasons – I did not know. Everyone spoke well of him. Because his nickname said it all: “El Gaucho”. Cesare left on Tuesday. He was bad news. What you never want to hear. It used to be a rumor then all the phones rang.

It was tough for the whole team. Very difficult for journalism. Magdalena Ruiz Guiñazú died a few days ago. Now another great: Caesar.

So big that in 2003, with everything ahead of him, he made a difficult personal decision: leaves Telenoche and takes refuge with Monica in her personal projects in San Pedro.

Thanks, Cesare, for all the teachings. For your kind treatment. For giving me space and making me grow. a fantastic one is left.