770 CHQR Calgary talk show host Danielle Smith has announced she’s leaving Corus Entertainment and radio behind next month, saying that in “this hyper-sensitive social media environment” it’s become increasingly difficult to express honest opinions.
“Unfortunately over the last few years far too many topics have become unchallengeable and the mob of political correctness thinks nothing of destroying a person’s career and reputation over some perceived slight, real or imagined. I’ve found that as a result there are many topics I simply choose not to cover anymore,” wrote Smith in a blog post published on GlobalNews.ca.
Smith, who self-identifies as a Libertarian, is the former leader of Alberta’s Official Opposition, leading the Wildrose Party from 2009-14, before crossing the floor to join the governing Progressive Conservatives. Since shortly after her defeat in the 2015 election, she’s been hosting the midday talk show on CHQR.
Smith revealed on Monday’s show that the move was some time in coming and that she’d given her notice back in November.
“I haven’t slept through the night in nearly a year because of this question: did I say anything today that would incite the mob?” said Smith.
Smith told listeners she’ll also be leaving Twitter on Feb. 19 and creating an online community on Locals.com, the independent creator platform founded by American conservative commentator Dave Rubin.
“You can be darn sure that I’m not going to let [Twitter CEO] Jack Dorsey decide what I can and cannot say and can and cannot think. That’s why in combination in leaving Corus on Feb. 19, that will be the day I shut down my Twitter,” said Smith, referencing the social media platform’s move to permanently ban U.S. President Donald Trump, as Amazon, Apple and Google move to deplatform unmoderated, right-leaning social networking apps Parler and Gab.
Smith’s run as a talk host hasn’t been without controversy, most recently coming under fire in March for a tweet touting hydroxychloroquine as a “100 per cent” cure for COVID-19. The post was later deleted.
