Jian Ghomeshi - the Most Challenging of Events

As a regular listener to “Q” I am dismayed at recent events surrounding Mr. Ghomeshi. The specter of sexual harassment and or violence against women is disturbing. The fact that the allegations being leveled against Mr. Ghomeshi is disturbing and very serious in nature, should drive behavior by all parties that is prudent. In listening to CBC radio and digesting the materials related to the issue on the web; people should know they are doing one of two things in publishing “hearsay”; they are either facilitating a vendetta OR prosecuting someone for non-consensual sex. Given the vulnerability of people in positions of “celebrity” to slanderous attack, judgment should be reserved until all the facts are in – especially in matters related to criminality, like non-consensual sex.

We can hold moral beliefs, we can direct support or withdraw support to others based on our own moral perspective, we do however, need to be mindful of the rights of consenting adults to interface as they deem appropriate. I am unaware of the breadth of accusations being leveled against Mr. Ghomeshi, or the rationale that has driven CBC management’s conduct. I am seriously challenged by the reports that have emerged out of the controversy related to violence and misconduct toward women, the point is they are only “allegations”. I am seriously challenged by Mr. Ghomeshi’s own reported practices for my own moral reasons. I am equally concerned however, that a man maybe being ridiculed, defamed and criminalized on hearsay alone absent due process.

The appropriateness of actions by the CBC and others in processing the allegations leveled against Mr. Ghomeshi should be firstly contemplated in the presence or absence of consent as determined by due process. Personal moral perspectives can be answered to in civil society, people may choose to associate with him or not – that is their right. No person or organization should preempt, or prejudge, the sober examination of the facts that due process provides – that is his right. We should all remember, people can say anything.