MIAMI -- A letter, signed by more than 500 journalists from around the country, was sent to the publisher and executive editor of The Miami Herald on Thursday, petitioning them to reconsider the firing of former Herald columnist Jim DeFede.

DeFede was fired after he told Herald managers that he had recorded a conversation with former Commissioner Art Teele on the day of his suicide without Teele's knowledge or permission. Florida law requires that anyone who is being recorded be informed.

The names were gathered in an online petition at journalistsfordefede.com.

The Web site includes the following text of an open letter to Miami Herald Publisher Jesus Diaz and Executive Editor Tom Fiedler:

"We are writing as journalists to express our sadness, distress and disappointment at the way the newspaper has treated Jim DeFede. He has been an important face of the newspaper in a community that has embraced him. Jim represents the finest journalism values: inquisitiveness, commitment to community, and determination to hold figures in power accountable for their actions. We believe firing him was an overreaction to an offense that should be viewed in the context of an intense, immediate episode during which he had little time to consider his actions.
"Further, we are concerned that Jim’s willingness in the past to offend powerful figures in Miami and, at times, his own employers, may have contributed to the hasty decision to fire him. We believe that Jim’s determination to be a voice for the poor and powerless in Miami makes him an asset to the community and to The Herald, even if his words may at times make some people uncomfortable.
"Jim’s actions may not even have been a technical violation of the law upon closer examination, and whether or not it was an ethical violation is questionable, given the extreme circumstances. But in any case he came forward on his own and has admitted his mistake. The Herald should do likewise and take him back."

The names on the petition include 76 current Miami Herald staff members and many more Herald alumni. The current staff members who signed include some of the Herald's biggest names, including Leonard Pitts, Carl Hiaasen and Dave Barry.

Francisco Alvarado, the writer who did the cover story in the Miami New Times published on the day that Teele killed himself, also signed the petition.

Also on Thursday, the Board of the South Florida International Press Club added its support to the petition.

In an e-mail to members, the SFIPC Board said, "We are not arguing the validity or ethics question of taping a conversation, but it should be noted that DeFede came forward on his own and had admitted his mistake. If he hadn’t come forward, it would never have been an issue. Mistakes do happen. The Herald now has made a mistake. It should admit it and take him back."

Ron Levitt, SFIPC president, pointed out the board action in support of DeFede was done without any communication with the columnist.

The Herald has not yet commented on the petition.