Jason Arday (David J. Colbran/Times Higher Education)
I had been disturbed for weeks by the UK media’s treatment of Jason Arday, who was a professor at Cambridge University until earlier this month, as he faced allegations of plagiarism and embellishment of his record.
I was unsettled that the primary source of the accusations was a fellow academic, pushed out of Cambridge because of his extreme views and statements on race. Right-wing activists, often knowing little about Arday’s work, were using him to assail diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A week ago, I told Times Radio’s Darryl Morris of my concerns. I emphasized that this was a matter which should be handled internally by Cambridge, without the furor and prejudice spurred by the media commentary. I noted that, whatever the truth, there was an individual at the heart of this matter.
On Friday, hours after The Telegraph published more accusations after speaking to his former neighbors and schoolmates, Arday was found dead.
I returned to Darryl Morris’s program last night, saddened and upset.
Listen to Discussion from 15:51
I evaluate the media treatment, fed by right-wing activists. I emphasize again that this was abusive when the matter should have — and probably would have, in the case of a white academic — been handled internally by Cambridge.
And I know that not one of the outlets who put Arday on trial has issued a word of apology.
