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Walter Martinez is a Venezuelan award-winning journalist, originally from Uruguay. Martínez's career spans over three decades in radio, television and the press. He is best known for his work in International Relations.
He was a war correspondent during the 1980s and 1990s.
Until 2005 he worked for the state-owned Venezolana de Televisión TV channel, where he hosted and produced his half hour-long program "Dossier" every night at ten. Additionally, he hosted a radio version of "Dossier" on "Radio Nacional de Venezuela", also state-owned.
On September 15 and 16, 2005, Martínez claimed in their program that some officials of the Venezuelan government were involved in corruption and that he had proofs. The Department of Communication and Information of the Venezuelan government showed the recordings of the program to the Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez (who was in a UN meeting in New York). After that, they ordered the suspension of Dossier until Martínez gave a public apology.
Two journalists of Venezolana de Televisión who refused to read a communication against Walter Martínez were also suspended and then fired.
As on November 2005, Dossier hasn't returned to the air. This case is cited as one of the most clear evidences of violation of freedom of press in Venezuela, although the Venezuelan government defends itself alleging that Martínez can work in any other TV station in the country.
Walter is famous for the coin phrase "nuestra unica y contaminada nave espacial," which translates to our sole and polluted spaceship (referring to Earth). He would begin every radio and TV address with the phrase.