Jim Romenesko pointed out this morning an apology from the Portland Press Herald for running a story on 9/11 about the end of Ramadan.
Seems a large number of readers felt offended by the front-page placement of the story on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Editor and publisher Richard L.Connor wrote: "We have acknowledged that we erred by at least not offering balance to the story and its prominent position on the front page."
He added that the paper had planned much larger coverage of the 9/11 memorials AFTER they occurred, which meant they would appear in the next day's newspaper.
Read the apology here: A note of apology to readers
Read the orginal article here: Maine Muslims gather to mark end of Ramadan
The comment sections following each article also show the feelings about the situation. So many of the comments after the the orginal article are hateful. ("Too bad they hadn't gathered on the top floor of the south tower!") Whereas the comments after the apology seem more perplexed. ("It never crossed my mind to be offended by that photo. I am so so sorry that you are apologizing for it.")
So what is your call on this? Was the paper right to apologize?