Readers criticize Inquirer photo caption

Paige Occeñola

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Netizens cried foul over the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s choice of caption for a photo on the frontpage of its May 9 edition. The photo shows President Benigno Aquino III shaking hands with a Muslim woman wearing a burka.

MANILA, Philippines – Netizens cried foul over the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s choice of caption for a photo on the front page of its May 9 edition. The photo shows President Benigno Aquino III shaking hands with a Muslim woman wearing a burka. The caption reads:

“SECURITY RISK? President Aquino greets a Muslim woman wrapped in a burka and niqab during the oath-taking of officers in charge of the ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly held in Malacañang on Tuesday [May 8]. The unidentified woman is reportedly a relative of one of the officers.

Reactions started pouring in online, with most users calling the caption “racially insensitive.”  Here is a compilation of reader reactions posted on social media:

On its website Inquirer.net, and in succeeding re-publlications of today’s paper the Inquirer changed the caption from “Security Risk?” to “Palace Guest.”

The Philippine Daily Inquirer also received criticism for its March 14, 2012 front page photo montage of impeachment trial witness, Demetrio Vicente.

The Inquirer released an apology for those photos stating: 

“It has come to our attention that our photo of witness Demetrio Vicente on our front page today has offended some of our readers. For this we sincerely apologize. It was not our intention to disparage Mr. Vicente in any way.”

What do you think of the caption? Tweet us yout thoughts at @rapplerdotcom. – Rappler.com

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