|
Jian Ghomeshi, host of the internationally syndicated music
and arts program Q on CBC radio, reached a deal with the CBC
"recently" under which Ghomeshi dropped his C$55 million ($49
million) wrongful dismissal lawsuit against the broadcaster and
agreed to pay C$18,000 in legal costs, CBC spokesman Chuck
Thompson told Reuters.
"The civil suit against the CBC has been dismissed with costs in
favor of CBC," Thompson said. Ghomeshi's lawyers could not be
immediately reached for comment.
The CBC fired Ghomeshi, 47, in October, saying it had received
"information" that precluded it from continuing its relationship
with the host, a former musician.
In response, Ghomeshi took to Facebook to say he was fired
because of his preference for consensual bondage, discipline,
sadism and masochism in sex.
After he was fired, a string of women, including coworkers, came
forward, mostly anonymously in the media, with accusations he
had beaten, raped or harassed them. Several also went to the
Toronto police, who opened an investigation that is continuing.
No charges have been filed.
The case spurred a national conversation about sexual assault
and abuse of power.
Ghomeshi had also filed a grievance against his former employer
through his union and that continues, Thompson said.
The allegations recalled the 2012 sex scandal at the British
Broadcasting Corp., another staid national broadcaster.
"It has had a sociological impact, a political impact, it has
reverberated in (Parliament) ... it has resurrected the whole
question of sexual harassment in the workplace," said Andrew
Mitrovica, a columnist with iPolitics and a journalism professor
at Sheridan College.
(Reporting by Andrea Hopkins; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
