Jorge Lanata, the Journalist Who Exposed Corruption in Argentina, Dies

"His legacy transcends his work and investigations. Lanata embodied the critical spirit of journalism, always seeking answers but unafraid of difficult questions." His colleagues have no doubts when describing Jorge Lanata, who passed away this Monday at a Buenos Aires hospital at the age of 64 after a severe illness that kept him hospitalized for several months. This was confirmed on social media by members of the Argentine Journalism Forum (Fopea), who recognize him as an inspiration for those who believe in free and committed journalism.

His biographer and colleague, Luis Majul, described him as "the most hated and most loved journalist in Argentina." Indeed, he became a thorn in the side of governments for decades, from the terms of Carlos Menem (1989-1999) to those of the couple Néstor Kirchner (2003-2007) and Cristina Fernández (2007-2015). His irreverent and critical style won public support, and in May 2013, the government led by Fernández even counterprogrammed Lanata's television show ('Journalism for All') with a high-profile football match, yet the journalist won that battle with a 24.66% audience share, 7.7 points more than the basketball spectacle.

With a very early vocation, he began working in the news service of Radio Nacional at the age of 14 and went on to found five magazines and two newspapers. The first, 'Página 12', was founded when he was just 26. He also worked in television, where he revived political programs and interviewed renowned personalities such as footballer Diego Armando Maradona, musician Charly García, and former Argentine President Mauricio Macri.

The journalist, who battled various severe health issues for many years, was admitted to the Italian Hospital on June 14 and since then his condition became increasingly grave, with cardiac, respiratory, and renal problems, among others. In 2015, he underwent the first cross-kidney transplant in Argentina and also in Latin America.