The Poynter Institute doesn't "anchor" its letters with individual links, so I will simply post it here for purposes of commentary and criticism:

From KENNETH FREED: The interview carried on WNYC's "On The Media" regarding Larry Rohter's New York Times coverage of Bazilian President Lula's drinking was a travesty. The interviewer was illinformed and badly prepared. He allowed vague and unsupported accusations to go unchallenged.

Rohter has covered Brazil off and on for the Times and Newsweek before that for nearly 25 years. As a competitor, I can say that Rohter has always been meticulous in his reporting and accurate and truthful in his writing. The idea that his report was a clip job was nearly as irresponsible as the assertion that Rohter's reporting is a reflection of the malaise at the Times that resulted in Jayson Blair.

As has often happened, Rohter beat the Brazilian press in its own backyard.  He should be praised, not vilified.

Commentary and criticism:

Note that Ken Freed doesn't say which "accusations" were "vague and unsupported," violating one of the first rules of journalism: provide the facts behind the opinion.

Of course, this is typical of professional simulators like Kenneth Freed and his friend Larry Rohter.

That he can say with an apparent straight face that "Rohter has always been meticulous in his reporting and accurate and truthful in his writing" is the kind of ridiculous statement that should worry the publications, like the Los Angeles Times that have published Freed's work, or might again in the future.

Then Freed digs his hole even deeper by claiming that "As has often happened, Rohter beat the Brazilian press in its own backyard." First of all, "often"? Like, when? Second of all, the piece about Lula and alleged drinking habits was not a reported story at all. Again: it relied on one named source, a known enemy of Lula, and two partisan columnists.

But read between the lines: Isn't Freed demonstrating what really is his contempt for Brazilian journalists? He has that all-too-typical noblesse oblige colonialist attitude that one finds in among too many U.S. correspondents in Latin America: the presumption that only a gringo or European can practice credible journalism about cultures that they don't understand.

In this case, Freed hangs himself out to dry with his friend Larry Rohter. Circling the wagons? Try "circle-jerking the wagons!"

Note to New York Times editors: don't be surprised if Freed sends in his resume soon to 43rd Street, with a clip of this letter that tried (and failed) to launder the image of a seriously soiled Larry Rohter.

That's how it works in the clubhouse.