Off air and off the mark

By U.S. standards, Canadian radio show host Jian Ghomeshi isn’t particularly famous. The CBC show Q, for which Ghomeshi interviewed artists, celebrities, etc., is syndicated (including weeknights on Capital Public Radio), but never earned him widespread attention here. Still, news of his October 26 firing reverberated across the border.

Reports on the reason for his termination are provocative, but it's the media's treatment of such that's more compelling. And, largely, infuriating.

The CBC, in a news story posted on its web page, reported it had fired Ghomeshi over “information” it received regarding claims from three women, accusing him of violent attacks.

Ghomeshi, for his part, posted a lengthy Facebook message in which he called the allegations “false.” Rather, Ghomeshi wrote that his proclivity for “mutually agreed upon” BDSM led to his termination because the CBC feared his “private sex life being made public.”

It's not the first time he's faced such charges. In 2013, an XOJane writer accused a Canadian radio host of “creepy,” persistent advances. Ghomeshi wasn't named but, apparently, was so easily identifiable that he contacted his publicist for advice, according to Toronto Life magazine.

Whatever the truth, some of the most unsettling details so far arrived via the Toronto Star, which interviewed Ghomeshi's three alleged victims and then described them as: “All educated and employed.”

What the hell? Why are educational background or employment relevant? Adding such details just serves as a coded signal that it's OK to believe these women. Oh, lucky them.

A degree and a job (or lack thereof) doesn't affect credibility, but it's clear that Ghomeshi's accusers are on trial here, too.