Talk about interesting timing. On the same day that Cumulus in the U.S. ordered hosts to stop talking about a rigged presidential election or risk being fired, a Corus radio host has announced her resignation, hinting that she's being silenced on sensitive topics.

Danielle Smith is not a well known name in this market, but the centre-right leaning host has been doing a daily show at CHQR Calgary for the past six years. In a written farewell to her audience, she hints that political correctness, social media and certain increasingly off-limit topics is behind her decision to leave the industry altogether. 

"It will be no surprise to you that I am gravely troubled by how easily most in our society have chosen to give up on freedom...Freedom of speech, in particular, is in a dire state. My entire adult life and career has been spent questioning authority and institutions and conventional wisdom. I’ve been all too aware that in many nations of the world it is against the law to speak truth to power. It can be dangerous. Sadly, in the last year I’ve noticed there are times where it has become perilous here too..."

"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.

"You rely on me to seek the truth and to give you my honest opinion. In this hyper-sensitive social media environment I don’t believe I can do that anymore. So it’s time for me to go.

"I do believe there is going to be a great reckoning in the next several years as we come to terms with what we’ve allowed social media to do to our relationships, our society, and our public discourse."

The former Alberta politician's last show is in February.

If how I interpret this is accurate, it seems like she's the second prominent Corus host to leave because of troubling social media backlash. Supriya Dwivedi departed GNR 640 at the end of last year after complaining of threats aimed against her family, noting she didn't feel the company had her back. Mike Stafford continues to host the morning show solo. 

You can read or listen to her entire farewell here.