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Toronto, Artists that shared representation with fired CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi regularly appeared on “Q” with no mention made of the connection, according to a media report.
The Toronto Star reported Ghomeshi made a habit of interviewing musicians that were represented by his longtime agent Jack
Ross or his lawyer Chris Taylor while at the public broadcaster but never disclosed the connection on air.
In one instance in 2011, Ghomeshi welcomed country singer Ortega into the studio and made reference to her relationship with
Taylor but not his own. When he had Ortega back on air a few months later, Ghomeshi reportedly said ““I think this is the fastest we have had someone back on Q.” but again failed to disclose his relationship with Taylor.
The practice doesn’t appear to be limited to a small number of artists either.
The Star said it has discovered that at least eight of Ross’s clients have had their music promoted by Q in recent years, including the Arkells, Billy Bragg, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and Jets Overhead.
The newspaper also said that several other clients of Taylor have appeared on the show, including Broken Social Scene and Bedouin Soundclash frontman Jay Malinowski.
“We have just given up trying to get on Q,” the manager of one band, who asked not to be identified, told the newspaper. “To us it is a clear conflict of interest.”
Ross first worked with Ghomeshi when he was a member of Moxy Früvous in the 1990’s and continued to represent him through his career at the CBC only stepping aside when allegations of violence against woman first surfaced in October, according to the Star. It is not clear whether or not Taylor still represents him.
In a statement provided to CP24, a spokesperson for the CBC suggested that “Q” is not bound by the same standards as news programming, making the booking of guests who shared representation with Ghomeshi acceptable.
“Q is an entertainment program and it’s not bound by the same standards and practices we have in place with our news and current affairs programs. The team on Q have all kinds of contacts in the industry that allow the program to book great bands, filmmakers, actors and other talented artists the audience want to hear from and know more about,” Chuck Thompson said. “The decisions about who appeared were made by the producers in the interest of delivering the best, most entertaining program possible.”
Wynne unveils measures to combat sexual violence and harassment
In the wake of the Ghomeshi scandal, the CBC hired a third-party company to conduct a “rigorous” and “independent” investigation into the allegations.
The scandal also prompted Premier Kathleen Wynne to form an all-party committee to study sexual violence and harassment and on Thursday morning Wynne unveiled another package of measures aimed at reducing the occurrences of sexual violence and harassment inside Queen’s Park.
Included in those measures, are a requirement for all MPP’s to participate in sexual assault and harassment training and a promise to review government caucus harassment policies to ensure they conform with best practices.
Wynne has also asked the Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues, Tracy MacCharles, to convene a roundtable on violence against women to provide input on the government’s initiatives.
Ghomeshi, who has been charged with four counts of sexual assault and one count of overcoming resistance- choking, is currently out on $100,000 bail while he awaits trial.
The former radio host has previously maintained his innocence and his current lawyer Marie Henein has told reporters that he will plead not guilty.
