Controversial Serena Williams cartoon deemed not racist by Australian watchdog

The Australian Press Council has found that a controversial cartoon of Serena Williams that critics labelled as racist and sexist did not breach media standards.
The cartoon by illustrator Mark Knight was published in The Melbourne Herald Sun in September last year and it depicted a fat-lipped Williams jumping over a broken racket and throwing a tantrum in during the US Open final against Naomi Osaka.
The caricature sparked a lot of controversy as many felt it was racist and sexist stereotypes of African-American people.
The Melbourne Herald Sun, though, doubled down and republished it on its front page under the headline “WELCOME TO PC WORLD”.
After receiving complaints, the Australian Press Council looked into it, but they found that it was not racist adding that it “may cause it to be an offensive and sexist representation of a woman and a prejudicial racial stereotype of African-American people generally”.
The report added: “The Council considers that the cartoon uses exaggeration and absurdity to make its point.
“It accepts the publisher’s claim that it does not depict Ms Williams as an ape, rather showing her as ‘spitting the dummy’, a non-racist caricature familiar to most Australian readers.
“As such, the Council does not consider that the publication failed to take reasonable steps to avoid causing substantial offence, distress or prejudice, without sufficient justification in the public interest.”
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Exclusive: Fed Cup stars could inspire rise of British women’s tennis, says Jeremy Bates
-
QUIZ! Can you identify these ATP 250 tournaments by logos alone?
-
-
Who is most likely to take a 2019 men’s Grand Slam from Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer?
-
Roger Federer the doubles player: Did you know he won a ‘bizarre’ title with Marat Safin?
-
Latest
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic like the battle of Spain against Serbia, says Goran Ivanisevic
Who are you backing to finish top in the race for most Grand Slams?
-
News
Novak Djokovic joins Serena Williams at summit of Slams after 30 club
Serena Williams also won 10 majors after turning 30.
-
ATP Tour
Andy Murray pulls out of Rotterdam Open after Australian Open exertions
Andy Murray will not take part in the Rotterdam Open in 2023.
-
Grand Slam
GOAT race is an obsession for Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic won’t stop until he is the GOAT!
-
WTA Tour
WTA Tour: What to look forward to in February 2023
The middle-east swing dominates the February schedule for the WTA Tour.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic’s comments suggest his retirement may be closer than expected
Novak Djokovic’s family may hold the key to how much longer he continues to play at the highest level.
-
Tennis News
John McEnroe calls for Russian players to return to Wimbledon after latest twists
It now seems inevitable that Wimbledon and the LTA will be forced to allow Russian and Belarusian players to play at Wimbledon.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz salute Novak Djokovic after latest feat
Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz salute Novak Djokovic.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s Grand Slam race: Who’s in better shape? What happens next?
Djokovic and Nadal both have 22 Grand Slam singles titles.
-
WTA Tour
WTA Rankings: Iga Swiatek still comfortable at No 1 as Elena Rybakina finally enters the top 10
Your WTA Rankings after the 2023 Australian Open.