Jian Ghomeshi now faces court of public opinion in trying to rehabilitate image

With Jian Ghomeshi'ssexual assault charges behind him, the former CBC Radio host now faces the challenge of trying to re-establish his career andrehabilitatean image damagedby thoseallegations.

Yet despite being found not guilty inMarch in the sexual assault trial involving three women, and with the final charge dropped by the Crown on Wednesday, the 48-year-old could stillhave a difficult time moving forward.

"The court of public opinion is now the realm in which Jian Ghomeshi is operating," said Allan Bonner, a Toronto-based crisis communications expert. "Ithink that a comeback is going to be very very difficult.The idea that a major network would have him back is a little far-fetched and hard to believe."

• Jian Ghomeshi apologizes for 'sexually inappropriate' behaviour, Crown drops sex assault charge
• Read Jian Ghomeshi's full apology to Kathryn Borel
• Read complainant Kathryn Borel's full statement

Ghomeshi would face difficulties getting a minor network to hire him, so far has his star fallen,Bonner said.

But he made a good first step when heapologizedto one ofthe complainants, KathrynBorel, for his "sexually inappropriate behaviour," Bonner said. The apology, and apeace bond signed by Ghomeshi, avoideda second sexual assault trial.Butboth his lawyer and the judgemade it clear that this was no admission of any criminal offence oradmission ofguilt.

Apology 'remarkable and full'

Bonner said thathis apology, which he called "remarkable and full"shouldhelp move the gauge of public opinion on Ghomeshi. Still, he has a long way to go in that respect, Bonner said, adding that "I think mainstream media ain't for him for a while."

Instead, the former host of the popular CBC radio show Qmay end up onthe web,writingblogs or hosting podcasts, any format where people would have private access to his work. The issue for Ghomeshi, much like Bill Cosby, accused of a series of sexual assaults, is that in a public setting, he could repeatedly face protesters.

"It'sgoing tobe difficult toimaginepeoplepubliclyendorsing him andpayingmoneytogoseehim," Bonner said. "But privately,on the web,he could probably sell songs and podcasts and blogs and at least have a presence."

But even in apodcast setting, whereGhomeshi could in theory duplicate his role as a pop-culture talk show host,he may find it challengingto attract big-name talent.

"I thinkit'sgoingto bedifficulttogo back to someof the peoplehe interviewed, andinterviewedquitesuccessfully ...and say'Look, I'm back, I'd like you to come onmy podcast.' I think they'd be hesitant to be associated with it."

Toronto-based branding expert Andris Pone agreed with Bonnerthat Ghomeshi is in a really difficult spot because while he has been acquitted in the legal sense, he's been convicted in the court of public opinion.

"It's hard for people to move forward without some kind of redemption story."

Pone said hedoesn't believe Ghomeshi's apologywouldlikely amount to much inthe public's viewas some might question its sincerity, consideringit was part of the terms of the charge against him being dropped.

Therapy demonstrates 'bona fide effort'

But he said the revelation in court that Ghomeshi has been seeing a therapist for the past 18 months could help his image asit"demonstrates that he is making a bona fide effort."

But Pone said the allegations againstGhomeshi have damaged hisbrand as a sensitive feminist, andhe will never be able to position himself in that role again. His is adifferent situationthan say a Mike Tyson, convicted of rape, yet now seemingly back on the media circuit.

• Jian Ghomeshi signs peace bond, Crown drops sex assault charge
• What is a peace bond? They're fairly common in criminal cases, defence lawyer says

"The Tyson brand wasn't as a nice guy. He was a killer," Pone said. "His behaviour wasn't that at odds. People liked him in the first place because he was vicious."

Ghomeshi may have a better chance to find work abroad, or in the U.S., where most have probably never heard of him, Pone said.

"If youhaven'texperiencedthestory developin front of you, I don'tthink you can have the same visceral reaction to it," he said, adding that people abroadmay form an opinion on him based solely on the headlines that he was acquitted.

Vancouver-based communications strategist AlynEdwards said Ghomeshi's apology was the first step torebuilding his reputation.

"Hecan always sayIapologizedand I accepttheresponsibilityfor mybehaviour, but there was a finding that this was notcriminaland I'mmovingon with my life. Those are the key messages that I wouldgive himif Iwas hisconsultant.

"We'vecounselledcompaniesto dothat, to do the full faceplant mea culpa. We madeamistake.It'scalled when youmess up, youfessup and you dress up. The apologyincourtwill be viewed by a lot of people as anadmission."

While Ghomeshi getting hired again will still be a long shot, Edwardssaidsome media outlets that don'tmind bad publicity and controversy could scoop him up.

"Somebody couldbecausethey'regoingto get a lot ofpublicity,goingto get a lot ofattentionif they hirethis man as abroadcasteror in any capacity," Edwards said. "They're goingto have to take the good with the bad. They're going to take a lot of heat, a lot of pressure, but obviously they're going to get a lot of ink."

"Someorganizationswillviewthis as anamazingopportunity," he said.