Today the Otago Daily Times published a cartoon making reference to the measles crisis in Samoa.
The content and the timing of the cartoon were insensitive, and we apologise without reservation for publishing it.
We have published many stories about the human suffering caused by the outbreak. They are stories not about a virus, they are stories of real people, real hurt, and real tragedy.
This should have been our starting point when considering publishing the cartoon. That it was not was a deeply regrettable error in judgement.
We will review our selection process. It must be robust. Our community expects no less.
Barry Stewart, editor
