Bob Hite Apologizes On Air; Issue of DUI Coverage Rises Again

Here's a clip of Bob Hite addressing his DUI arrest in the 11 p.m. broadcast Wednesday night. It was an echo of the apology Thomas Lake wrote about in his well-crafted story for Thursday's paper following up on the initial news of the anchor's trouble.

As some posters have pointed out, WFLA isn't the only local station or media outlet to have staffers who have made similar mistakes. Rival WFTS-Ch. 28 is without general manager Bill Carey because of his actions during an alleged drunk driving incident -- Carey has been suspended, likely until the legal issues are resolved.

WTSP-Ch. 10 anchor Reginald Roundtree faced DUI charges in 2006, though he denied driving drunk and eventually pleaded no contest to reckless driving. Tampa Tribune executive editor Janet Coats, former Times TV Critic Chase Squires and former Times Tampa entertainment writer Rick Gershman also have all been arrested for the same crime.

As I noted back when Coats was arrested, there are plenty of media professionals who feel news outlets shouldn't bother covering DUI arrests of local celebrities; here's a blog post from a Texas TV newsman chewing over the issue when an anchor in his community was arrested. Few have lost their jobs over such arrests, through the public shame of the media coverage is always significant.

Comments

[dreaming]

you forgot yr own football writer, whatisname. he got duied about five years ago. and several other trib reporters were duied in recent years. im not sure why the news media loves to kick its own. no other biz does.

bob hite read the news on the air while drunk many times over the years. coworkers wrote it off. he appears alcoholic, with the bulbous nose etc. there is a lot to get drunk about if you work in the news biz.

[Jack]

Hi Bob,
I have watched your news every evening since coming to Florida 11 years ago. You and Gail compliment one another and are the best anchors in this area. When I heard of your DUI arrest I felt badly for you . I for one have been very lucky over the years because I used alcohol to deal with stress. This can happene to anyone and could have been a lot worse. As you begin your retirement, hold your head high; you are so talented. You have worked hard and have earned a great retirement. I'm sure your partner will miss you as well as thousands of others who watch the evening news. Good luck and may you and your family have many, many years of good health and happiness as you keep sailing...in a new direction.

[Chris]

I put that video up but my account was deleted thanks to an unrelated vid...here's the video

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VoTvk-oHIzU

[Eric Deggans]

thanks...the new clip is now part of the entry...

[George R Pope]

Hey Bob!

we met years ago at the Rambling Raft Race. You had your "poly glycoat hairdo" and I was with about 20 of my friends.

I just went thru a DUI arrest and now I talk to an interlockk device whenever I want to go to the store or go dirt biking. It all happened for some good reason and now my grandson gets to see the law in action every time he rides with me in the car. I have been to 100+ AA meetings but I just made a mistake....

Don't take it too hard and just realize that it is a bump in the road.

George Pope

[Stephanie]

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