Greg Burton, executive editor of The Desert Sun in Palm Springs, Calif., was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol on Monday night, the newspaper says, citing a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department report.
The four-paragraph story, under a staff-only byline, says Burton, 50, was pulled over at 9:24 p.m. for a traffic stop at Fred Waring and Adonis drives in nearby Palm Desert.
Burton, executive editor since 2011, told the paper yesterday: “It’s a privilege to live and work in this community – and that comes with a responsibility to do what’s right. For me now, with this case, it’s a matter of making sure justice runs its true course.”
He was released by the Sheriff's Department and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 13, according to the Sun.
The paper didn't publish Burton's arrest mug shot, in contrast to other stories on its site, such as this one. However, Palm Desert Patch obtained and published the photo with its story.
Burton's arrest recalls the December 2010 DUI arrest of Ted Power, then publisher of the Reno Gazette-Journal. Unlike the Sun, the Reno paper also published his booking photo. The following month, Power left the paper to direct the newspaper page production hub in Des Moines.
[Photo: Sheriff's Department via Palm Desert Patch]
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| Burton |
Burton, executive editor since 2011, told the paper yesterday: “It’s a privilege to live and work in this community – and that comes with a responsibility to do what’s right. For me now, with this case, it’s a matter of making sure justice runs its true course.”
He was released by the Sheriff's Department and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 13, according to the Sun.
The paper didn't publish Burton's arrest mug shot, in contrast to other stories on its site, such as this one. However, Palm Desert Patch obtained and published the photo with its story.
Burton's arrest recalls the December 2010 DUI arrest of Ted Power, then publisher of the Reno Gazette-Journal. Unlike the Sun, the Reno paper also published his booking photo. The following month, Power left the paper to direct the newspaper page production hub in Des Moines.
[Photo: Sheriff's Department via Palm Desert Patch]
A reader tells me the Burton story ran on page B2 of the Valley section in the Public Safety Briefs column; it was the third of four items there.
ReplyDeleteHave worked for Gannett, the only way to cope is to drink, however I do not think anyone should drink and drive!
ReplyDeleteAssuming one's blood alcohol level isn't off the charts, texting and driving is far worse than drinking and driving. In fact, some studies conclude that texting while driving is four times more likely to lead to an accident, yet the media rarely reports on this fact, maybe because reporters and editors are occupationally and emotionally attached to their iPhones. Or maybe news judgment and enterprise/investigative reporting just aren't what it used to be.
DeleteIn an e-mail exchange with my reader, I wrote:
ReplyDeleteAt many quality papers, editors and publishers tell their newsrooms in advance that if they're arrested for a DUI or some other such offense, the story should run on Page One. That removes any doubt in the heat of publication.
But, as I said, those are quality papers.
Worked in five newsrooms during my career. I NEVER heard an editor or publisher gives this directive. Maybe at the Daily Planet!
DeleteIt's remarks like this that will always make this blog look like the vindictive ramblings of a bitter ex-employee.
DeleteYou don't see Romenesko making petty remarks about Poynter like this, and he would have a lot more legitimate reason to. Guy has class and respect. Stick closer to the facts if you want to garner any credibility outside your small circle of angry vitriol.
During the negotiation for my being hired as top editor, I was warned that was the rule. It's a good rule. The community has to be able to trust its newspaper leadership. (Yes, given how things work these days, I know how dumb that sounds.)
DeleteIn this case, if there were no local Patch site or Gannett Blog, the arrest might have been contained. At my site, the secrets run deep and are kept guarded under implied threats that would wither most.
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ReplyDeleteBurton's rep for being just a little too close with a local mayor has also been carefully managed by The Desert Sun, which continues to want to play kingmaker in the Coachella Valley. His deuce certainly didn't help that effort. His BAC should have been disclosed, but of course it was not.
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