Editor Resigns Over Rihanna

Gossip — 22 December 2011

The editor of a Dutch fashion magazine criticised by US singer Rihanna for using a racist slur to describe her, has resigned.

Eva Hoeke, editor-in-chief at Jackie, will leave with immediate effect after the pop star reacted angrily on Twitter to the article.

The singer labelled the publication “disrespectful” and “rather desperate”.

A statement from Jackie apologised with Hoeke saying she has reacted “too quickly” to criticism of the article.

The feature used language to describe Rihanna that the star found offensive. Star’s anger
Directing her anger at Hoeke on Twitter Rihanna wrote: “There are thousands of Dutch girls who would love to be recognised for their contributions to your country, you could have given them an article.

“Instead, you paid to print one degrading an entire race.”

Rihanna also accused the magazine’s article of being “a poor representation of the evolution of human rights.”

The magazine has apologised in a statement posted on their Facebook page.

In the post Hoeke is quoted as saying: “I realise that my first reaction through Twitter, in which I indicated that it was a joke, has been an incomplete misrepresentation of what me, and also the author of the article, meant.

“I should have counted to 10 before taking unsubtle stands through social media channels.

“Through this my credibility has been hurt, and that neither fits the role of an editor-in-chief, nor Jackie Magazine. “

Before the announcement of Hoeke’s departure she had described the article as a “bad joke” on Twitter, and had defended the article saying there was “no racist motive”.

The magazine’s publisher said they will invite Rihanna to share her opinions on the article in their next issue.