New York Review of Books admits fault with Ghomeshi essay

NEW YORK— The New York Review of Books is acknowledging its “failures in the presentation and editing” of a much-maligned essay by disgraced former CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi.

A statement released by the esteemed literary outlet says Ghomeshi’s piece, “Reflections from a Hashtag,” was shown to only one male editor and that most members of the staff were excluded from the editorial process.

It said that the first-person article “caused considerable concern among readers.”

“We acknowledge the validity of this criticism.

“While Mr. Ghomeshi has an absolute free-speech right to express his opinions, we acknowledge our failures in the presentation and editing of his story,” said the statement. “The New York Review has a long history of publishing controversial and unpopular pieces and will continue to do so. However, in the future, we expect the editing to live up to the standards to which the Review aspires.” Ghomeshi was acquitted in March 2016 of four counts of sexual assault and one count of choking involving three complainants.

In May 2016, he apologized to a fourth complainant and signed a peace bond that saw another count of sexual assault withdrawn.

His account of life posttrial sparked an immediate outcry when it appeared online Sept. 14, with many critics questioning why he would be given such a prestigious platform to write an unchallenged piece.

But the backlash swelled before it hit stands when editor Ian Buruma defended the decision to publish in an interview with Slate magazine, stating he was “no judge of the rights and wrongs of every allegation.”

On the same day Buruma’s departure was revealed, the magazine amended Ghomeshi’s essay to acknowledge the “serious nature” of the allegations against him.