In the essay, titled “Reflections on a Hashtag,” Ghomeshi reflected on his sexual assault trial, during which he was acquitted in 2016 of multiple charges relating to three women, and the aftermath. His essay omitted numerous facts, including a settlement with a victim and allegations of battering. “Before 2014, it was unimaginable to me that I would become a poster boy for men who are assholes,” Ghomeshi wrote in the piece.
In an interview with Slate, shortly after the magazine published Ghomeshi’s essay online, Buruma defended his decision: “I’m no judge of the rights and wrongs of every allegation. How can I be?” He added that Ghomeshi came to him with the idea and added, “This seemed like a story that was worth hearing,” an argument we’ve been hearing a lot these days.
Though a spokesperson for the NYRB confirmed Buruma’s departure, at press time, they did not clarify whether or not he resigned or had been fired.
