A controversial cartoon depicting Serena Williams throwing a tantrum during the US Open has not broken Australian media standards, according to the ruling watchdog.
The Australian Press Council confirmed it received several complaints the cartoon, drawn by the Herald-Sun’s Mark Knight, contained a ‘racist and sexist stereotype of African-American people, rather than an accurate depiction of Williams’.
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“Specifically, concern was expressed that the cartoon depicted Ms Williams with large lips, a broad flat nose, a wild afro-styled ponytail hairstyle different to that worn by Ms Williams during the match, and positioned in an ape-like pose," the APC said in a statement.
"It was also noted that the cartoon should be considered in the context of the history of caricatures based on race and historical racist depictions of African-Americans."
The cartoon caused outrage around the world, especially in the US where the Washington Post labelled it ‘dehumanising’.
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Knight and the paper vehemently denied the accusations, the cartoonist saying his intention was to shine a light on Williams’ boorish behaviour during her US Open final loss to Japan’s Naomi Osaka last September.
In handing down its findings, the APC concluded: “The Council accepts there was a sufficient public interest in commenting on behaviour and sportsmanship during a significant dispute between a tennis player with a globally high profile and an umpire at the US Open final.
“As such, the Council does not consider that the publication failed to take reasonable steps to avoid causing substantial offence, distress or prejudice, without sufficient justification in the public interest.
“Accordingly the Council concludes that its Standards of Practice were not breached.”