WGN Used The Worst Possible Image For A Yom Kippur Segment

By Emma G. Gallegos in News on Sep 23, 2015 1:54PM



WGN broadcast (MarcKarlinsky/Twitter)

For a TV segment on Yom Kippur, which began at sundown last night, WGN used about the worst graphic you can imagine: the yellow patch Nazis forced Jews to wear in Germany. (Update: the station offered a formal apology.)

Here's a description of the history the patch invokes via the Holocaust Center in Michigan:

The German government’s policy of forcing Jews to wear identifying badges was but one of many psychological tactics aimed at isolating and dehumanizing the Jews of Europe, directly marking them as being different (i.e., inferior) to everyone else. It allowed for the easier facilitation of their separation from society and subsequent ghettoization, which ultimately led to the deportation and murder of 6 million Jews.

Viewers caught it and were offended and baffled. TMZ asked, "How Could You Nazi This?!" (groan)

WGN apologized for the segment after it aired:

We are truly sorry for inadvertently using an offensive image in our Yom Kippur story. We apologize and deeply regret the error. — WGN TV News (@WGNNews) September 23, 2015

Related:

Video: WGN Apologizes For Flashing Nazi Patch During Yom Kippur Segment

