Larry Rohter
Encyclopedia
William Lawrence Rohter, Jr. — known as Larry Rohter — (born in Oak Park, Illinois
, February 3, 1950) is an American
journalist who was a South American bureau chief (based in Rio de Janeiro
, Brazil
) for The New York Times
from 1999 to 2007. Previously, he was Caribbean and Latin American correspondent of the Times from 1994 to 1999.
at Columbia University
.
He was also awarded the Brazilian Embratel prize, as the "Melhor correspondente estrangeiro" (best foreign correspondent).
had a drinking problem that affected his presidency. The article's only quoted source for Lula's alcoholism was Leonel Brizola
, a sworn political enemy of Mr. da Silva. The article caused consternation in the Brazilian press. Rohter's visa was temporarily revoked (and quickly reinstated) by Brazil's government, an event which overshadowed much criticism of Rohter's reporting.
Some members of Lula's cabinet — for instance, the former Chief of Office José Dirceu
and the Finance Minister Guido Mantega
— alleged that Rohter's article had been ordered by foreign interests, most likely by the CIA. They asserted the CIA was interested in undermining Brazil's role at Doha Round
, an event sponsored by the WTO at which Brazil played a leading role
among developing countries against the free trade agenda promoted by the US and Europe. Rohter has repeatedly denied that in later interviews with the Brazilian press.
Oak Park, Illinois
Oak Park, Illinois is a suburb bordering the west side of the city of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is the twenty-fifth largest municipality in Illinois. Oak Park has easy access to downtown Chicago due to public transportation such as the Chicago 'L' Blue and Green lines,...
, February 3, 1950) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
journalist who was a South American bureau chief (based in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
) for The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
from 1999 to 2007. Previously, he was Caribbean and Latin American correspondent of the Times from 1994 to 1999.
Awards
In 1998, Rohter was awarded the Maria Moors Cabot Prizeat Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
.
He was also awarded the Brazilian Embratel prize, as the "Melhor correspondente estrangeiro" (best foreign correspondent).
Personal
Rohter is married to Clotilde Rohter. They have 2 children. He lives today in Hoboken, New Jersey".Criticism
Rohter published an article titled "Brazilian Leader's Tippling Becomes National Concern", insinuating the Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaLuiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva , known popularly as Lula, served as the 35th President of Brazil from 2003 to 2010.A founding member of the Workers' Party , he ran for President three times unsuccessfully, first in the 1989 election. Lula achieved victory in the 2002 election, and was inaugurated as...
had a drinking problem that affected his presidency. The article's only quoted source for Lula's alcoholism was Leonel Brizola
Leonel Brizola
Leonel de Moura Brizola was a Brazilian politician. Launched in politics by Getúlio Vargas, Brizola was the only politician to serve as governor of two different states in the whole history of Brazil. In 1959 he was elected governor of Rio Grande do Sul, and in 1982 and 1990 he was elected...
, a sworn political enemy of Mr. da Silva. The article caused consternation in the Brazilian press. Rohter's visa was temporarily revoked (and quickly reinstated) by Brazil's government, an event which overshadowed much criticism of Rohter's reporting.
Some members of Lula's cabinet — for instance, the former Chief of Office José Dirceu
José Dirceu
José Dirceu de Oliveira e Silva is a Brazilian politician.He participated in a revolutionary armed group following the Brazilian military coup of 1964, and was exiled in 1969. He returned in 1980 and was active politically, his highest post was as the chief-of-staff to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's...
and the Finance Minister Guido Mantega
Guido Mantega
Guido Mantega is a Brazilian economist, politician and currently Brazil's Finance Minister. He graduated in Economics from the Faculdade de Economia, Administração e Contabilidade of the University of São Paulo and is a professor of Economics at several leading universities of São Paulo.He has...
— alleged that Rohter's article had been ordered by foreign interests, most likely by the CIA. They asserted the CIA was interested in undermining Brazil's role at Doha Round
Doha round
The Doha Development Round or Doha Development Agenda is the current trade-negotiation round of the World Trade Organization which commenced in November 2001. Its objective is to lower trade barriers around the world, which will help facilitate the increase of global trade...
, an event sponsored by the WTO at which Brazil played a leading role
G20 developing nations
The G20 is a bloc of developing nations established on 20 August 2003. Distinct and separate from the G-20 major economies, the group emerged at the 5th Ministerial WTO conference, held in Cancún, Mexico, from 10 September to 14 September 2003...
among developing countries against the free trade agenda promoted by the US and Europe. Rohter has repeatedly denied that in later interviews with the Brazilian press.