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Murdoch 'racist' cartoon apology | Murdoch 'racist' cartoon apology |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The owner of the New York Post, Rupert Murdoch, has apologised for a cartoon which critics said was a racist depiction of President Barack Obama. | The owner of the New York Post, Rupert Murdoch, has apologised for a cartoon which critics said was a racist depiction of President Barack Obama. |
Newspaper cartoonist Sean Delonas drew police shooting dead a chimp, while remarking "they'll have to find someone else to write the stimulus bill". | Newspaper cartoonist Sean Delonas drew police shooting dead a chimp, while remarking "they'll have to find someone else to write the stimulus bill". |
But Mr Murdoch said the cartoon was meant to mock Mr Obama's legislation and was not intended to be racist. | But Mr Murdoch said the cartoon was meant to mock Mr Obama's legislation and was not intended to be racist. |
The newspaper had apologised to readers last week after widespread criticism. | The newspaper had apologised to readers last week after widespread criticism. |
The cartoon, published on 18 February, came a day after Mr Obama signed into law a $787bn (£548bn) economic stimulus package approved by Congress after weeks of wrangling. | The cartoon, published on 18 February, came a day after Mr Obama signed into law a $787bn (£548bn) economic stimulus package approved by Congress after weeks of wrangling. |
The image referred to a gruesome incident earlier that week, when a pet chimp in Connecticut attacked and disfigured a woman before being shot dead by police. | |
'A mistake' | 'A mistake' |
In an editorial in Friday's edition, Mr Murdoch said the paper had made a mistake in publishing the cartoon and that he was sorry for any offence. | In an editorial in Friday's edition, Mr Murdoch said the paper had made a mistake in publishing the cartoon and that he was sorry for any offence. |
The cartoon brought criticism from anti-racism campaigners"As the Chairman of the New York Post, I am ultimately responsible for what is printed in its pages. The buck stops with me." | The cartoon brought criticism from anti-racism campaigners"As the Chairman of the New York Post, I am ultimately responsible for what is printed in its pages. The buck stops with me." |
"Last week, we made a mistake. We ran a cartoon that offended many people. Today I want to personally apologize to any reader who felt offended, and even insulted." | "Last week, we made a mistake. We ran a cartoon that offended many people. Today I want to personally apologize to any reader who felt offended, and even insulted." |
He said he had spoken to a number of people since the publication and that he could now "better understand the hurt this cartoon has caused". | He said he had spoken to a number of people since the publication and that he could now "better understand the hurt this cartoon has caused". |
But he added that "the only intent of that cartoon was to mock a badly written piece of legislation". | But he added that "the only intent of that cartoon was to mock a badly written piece of legislation". |
"It was not meant to be racist, but unfortunately, it was interpreted by many as such." | "It was not meant to be racist, but unfortunately, it was interpreted by many as such." |
Mr Murdoch said the New York Post would "seek to be more attuned to the sensitivities of our community" in the future. | Mr Murdoch said the New York Post would "seek to be more attuned to the sensitivities of our community" in the future. |
Commentators, blog writers and politicians had widely denounced the cartoon and demonstrators picketed the newspaper's New York City headquarters. | Commentators, blog writers and politicians had widely denounced the cartoon and demonstrators picketed the newspaper's New York City headquarters. |
Mr Delonas had denied that the chimp resembled Mr Obama, and the paper initially defended the cartoon as a "parody of a current news event" but later apologised. | Mr Delonas had denied that the chimp resembled Mr Obama, and the paper initially defended the cartoon as a "parody of a current news event" but later apologised. |
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