The Onion has apologized to nine-year old actress Quvenzhane Wallis for a dirty commented posted on Twitter during Oscar night.
The publication wrote at 8:24 PM EST "Everyone else seems afraid to say it, but that Quvenzhané Wallis is kind of a (c-word), right? #Oscars2013" -@TheOnion." The comment created a great deal of controversy on Twitter with many users angry at the offensive language utilized by the publication. Here are a few reactions:
@crstjohn81: "Everyone else seems to be afraid to say it, but the "age of accountability" for@theonion slams shouldn't be 9, right?#theonion #oscars2013."
@dduane: "I will miss #theonion. They were often funny. But what they did to that little girl? Unforgivable. Byebye, unfunny news resource."
@GLValentine: "So women denigrated throughout the Oscars & then #TheOnion makes sure all humanity loses hope? Great, thanks, helpful, see everyone Monday."
The publication promptly deleted the comment and published an apology stating the following:
"Feb. 25, 2013
Dear Readers,
On behalf of The Onion, I offer my personal apology to Quvenzhané Wallis and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the tweet that was circulated last night during the Oscars. It was crude and offensive-not to mention inconsistent with The Onion's commitment to parody and satire, however biting.
No person should be subjected to such a senseless, humorless comment masquerading as satire.
The tweet was taken down within an hour of publication. We have instituted new and tighter Twitter procedures to ensure that this kind of mistake does not occur again.
In addition, we are taking immediate steps to discipline those individuals responsible.
Miss Wallis, you are young and talented and deserve better. All of us at The Onion are deeply sorry.
Sincerely,
Steve Hannah
CEO
The Onion"
Wallis was the subject of inappropriate jokes during the Oscar ceremony as host Seth MacFarlane remarked "to give you an idea of how young she is, it'll be 16 years before she's too young for Clooney." Wallis had been the youngest actress to ever be nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars; she lost the award to 22-year old Jennifer Lawrence, the third youngest actress to ever win the prize.