Crossword Genius

A much-loved rogue journalist executed (11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

perpetrated

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'executed' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with social activities as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'a much-loved rogue journalist' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' could be 'per' (eg 'one a day' means 'one per day') and 'per' is located in the answer.
'loved' could be 'pet' (similar in meaning) and 'pet' is found within the answer.
'rogue' could be 'rat' (rat can mean a nasty person) and 'rat' is present in the answer.
'journalist' could be 'ed' (short for editor) and 'ed' is found within the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for perpetrated that I've seen is " Was to blame".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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