Apparently, Murdoch is either not a reader of the Irateirishman or he has opted not to take my advice. Here is his apology as it appeared in The NY Post.
By RUPERT MURDOCH
February 24, 2009
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.
Over the past couple of days, I have spoken to a number of people and I now better understand the hurt this cartoon has caused. At the same time, I have had conversations with Post editors about the situation and I can assure you - without a doubt - 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.
We all hold the readers of the New York Post in high regard and I promise you that we will seek to be more attuned to the sensitivities of our community.
Well so much for standing up for what you believe and protecting free speech. Maybe Rupert should adopt the policy of the Washington Post and apologize pre-emptively as they did for this cartoon.
The headline, illustration and text of “Below the Beltway,” a column in The Washington Post Magazine today, may cause offense to readers. The magazine was printed before a widely publicized incident last week in which a chimpanzee attacked and badly mauled a woman in Stamford, Conn. In addition, the image and text inadvertently may conjure racial stereotypes that The Post does not countenance. We regret the lapse.
Michelle Malkin explains that this was “an illustration accompanying a humor column by Gene Weingarten titled ‘Monkey Business’ about a study that reported on how women were aroused at the sight of bonobo apes mating.”
I am ashamed for them.
Claiming hurt feelings has trumped freedom of speech. If people whine at just the right pitch, apologies are issued, people are fired, and policies are changed. Who will stand up and offer principled opposition?