Whoopi Goldberg has offered the editors of The New York Times a formal apology for branding a recent article about black Oscar honorees "sloppy", after publication bosses insisted the actress had read the story "incorrectly".
The star voiced her opinion about the piece, which appeared in Sunday's (13Feb11) Times, while co-hosting on U.S. talk show The View on Monday (14Feb11).
She claimed writers Manohla Dargis and A.O. Scott had suggested only seven African-Americans had won Oscars in the past 73 years, referencing triumphs by the likes of Halle Berry and Denzel Washington - and appearing to omit her 1981 Best Supporting Actress win for Ghost, among others.
Editors defended Dargis and Scott by issuing a press release clarifying the report, stating: "The error lies with those who are reading the story incorrectly.
"The point of the piece was not to name every black actor or actress who has been awarded an Oscar; it was to draw a comparison between the number who won prior to 2002 (the year Halle Berry and Denzel Washington won) and those who have won since.
"The story states very clearly that in 73 years, prior to 2002, only seven black actors/actresses won Oscars."
Goldberg brought up the topic again during Wednesday's (16Feb11) episode of The View, in which she admitted she had found the story "confusing", but conceded she was wrong to blast the writers' credentials.
She told viewers: "I personally found the article really confusing, and as I said, I was also quite hurt that Cuba Gooding, Jr., Louis Gossett, Jr. and myself were not included in this expose about black Hollywood.
"But for saying it was shoddy reporting, I apologise New York Times."
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