Michael Martinez

Dr. Michael T. Martinez’ research interests include media law, specifically media and the courts, the history of journalistic practices and political coverage in visual communication.

Dr. Martinez turned to academe after working for 26 years as a photojournalist, graphics editor and web producer. He considers himself both a journalist and a scholar.

Dr. Martinez spent his professional career expanding a palette of journalistic skills at four newspapers and a wire service. He worked at the Associated Press in New York, the Louisville Courier-Journal, the Detroit News, the Cincinnati Enquirer and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

In 2000, Dr. Martinez broadened his horizons and moved into the world of the Internet as an online producer.

After covering two Olympics for the Associated Press, Lillehammer 1994 and Atlanta 1996, Dr. Martinez had the opportunity to work for four Olympic Organizing Committees: Sydney 2000, Salt Lake City 2002, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

Dr. Martinez has been active in professional associations throughout his career. He was president of the National Press Photographers Association in 1990. He has been the National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ visual task force representative to Unity ’94 and Unity ’99 and in 2005-2006 served as vice president/membership of the Fort Worth Professional Society of Professional Journalists’ chapter.

Education

Ph.D. – University of Missouri School of Journalism
M.A. – University of Missouri School of Journalism
B.A. – University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism

Research Interests

First Amendment Law – Media and the courts
Visual Communication – Political coverage
History – Journalism practice