Rupert Murdoch apologizes for controversial NY Post cartoon

NEW YORK (CNN) - The chairman of the New York Post, Rupert Murdoch,
personally apologized Tuesday for an editorial cartoon published by the
newspaper that drew charges of racism.

"Today I want to personally apologize to any reader who felt offended,
and even insulted," according to the statement from Murdoch, who is also
Chairman and CEO of News Corporation which owns the paper.

"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."

The cartoon by Sean Delonas referenced the mauling of a Connecticut woman
by a chimpanzee who was later shot and killed by police. In its caption, one of
the officers says, "They'll have to find someone else to write the next
stimulus bill."

The cartoon was published on Wednesday, a day after President Barack
Obama signed the stimulus bill.

The Post issued a statement the following day, apologizing but noting
that the cartoon was meant to mock what it called an "ineptly written" stimulus
bill.

Many critics said the cartoon played on historically racist images by
appearing to compare Obama, the nation's first black president, to the
chimpanzee.

Leaders of the NAACP on Saturday called for the firing of Delonas.

Delonas called the controversy "absolutely friggin' ridiculous."