Toronto Star Apologizes for Printing Nude Durga Image

October 17, 2003

Source: Indo-Asian News Service (IANS)

http://www.newindpress.com/Newsitems.asp?ID=IEH20031016105232&Title=Top+Stories&rLink=0

On October 17, 2003 Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) reported that "The Toronto Star, who received a spate of protest letters for publishing a nude picture of Hindu goddess Durga, has apologised for offending readers. Said an editor: 'We are sorry if this representation of the goddess offended some readers. It was unintentional.' An effort to photograph a local statue being built had failed, she explained. So the wire photo, made available by the international news agency Reuters, was used...India Cause, an organisation that represents Indians in North America and across the world, termed the apology from the Bureau of Accuracy/Ombud of Canada's leading daily newspaper as a 'half-hearted explanation.' Toronto Star published the 'half-hearted' explanation about the 'nude' Durga issue on October 11. Apparently, the Star didn't understand that the idol would never appear unclothed, India Cause said."