Business Communication and Character

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Newspaper Apologizes for Cartoon

The Albuquerque Journal in New Mexico issued an apology for a cartoon some call racist. Critics say the image advances "the most false and negative stereotype of DREAMers." Of the states, the Hispanic population is highest in New Mexico—48.5%.

In a statement, editor Karen Moses explained the paper's view:

Political cartoons are often satire and poke at more than one point of view. I do not presume to know what cartoonist Sean Delonas was trying to convey in his cartoon that was published in Wednesday’s Albuquerque Journal. But on one level it appeared to us to be poking at President Trump’s rhetoric by portraying a quaking Republican couple who were painting Dreamers with a broad, totally false, brush.

Obviously, that was not the message received by many readers. Instead, many saw an extremely objectionable cartoon and thought that was the position of the Journal. It is not.

In hindsight, instead of generating debate, this cartoon only inflamed emotions. This was not the intent, and for that, the Journal apologizes.

I repeat that the Albuquerque Journal does not condone racism or bigotry in any form.

I also want to reiterate that we do not agree with many of the opinions expressed on the editorial pages, which are intended to encourage debate. Also, the editorial board decides what to publish on these pages, and that is separate from the newsroom and its reporters.

News agencies report conflicting data about crimes rates among immigrants. Compare data presented by The New York Times and Breitbart.

Discussion:

  • What's your view of the cartoon: funny, offensive, or something else?
  • How well did the newspaper editor handle the response?
  • Compare data from these two articles about immigrants: The New York Times and Breitbart. What do they each analyze, and how do they present the data? How do you explain the differences?