Rutten’s remarks

TIM RUTTEN is simply one of the best media critics around. His column on Condoleezza Rice’s evasions on torture -- and the media’s failure to put her statements into adequate historical context -- was on target [“Rice and the Press Make It Unclear,” Dec. 10].

If the media report only facts, they miss the truth.

David Brinkley had it right when he said that it was a fact that Joseph McCarthy claimed to have the names of dozens of State Department employees who were Communists, but that it wasn’t the truth. To report only facts, then, is irresponsible at best, and mendacious at worst.

Rutten consistently pinpoints problems like these in contemporary reporting.

We can only hope that reporters, editors, publishers and journalism teachers will take his insights to heart.

REBECCA MOORE

San Diego

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THE Times didn’t really get rid of Robert Scheer. With a bit of detective work, it has become obvious that Tim Rutten, with his media column, has absorbed every bit of Scheer’s anti-Bush screed and peddles it, and nothing else, column after column. To think that the genius of Michael Ramirez had to be sacrificed in this ploy to make the paper seem more moderate.

PAUL KNOPICK

Laguna Hills