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Fox News Uses Patti LaBelle Photo In Aretha Franklin Memorial Segment

Fox News Uses Patti LaBelle Photo In Aretha Franklin Memorial Segment
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RIP Aretha Franklin

August 17th, 2018 – Fox News joined hundreds of news organizations yesterday in paying tribute to the late Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin. Viewers were quick to point out, however, that the network had mistakenly used a photo of Patti LaBelle at the end of a memorial segment.

Video shows a title card using an image of Franklin in the foreground over a black and white photo. The background photo has Patti LaBelle in the top, left corner singing at an event. Two anchors are memorializing the iconic singer as the mixed-up image remains on-screen.

Franklin died Thursday morning at the age of 76 and millions of people began paying tribute to the legendary star. Conversations of accomplishments and mourning turned to confusion and accusations when Fox News made its mistake.

For their part, Fox News apologized but maintained that the mistake was actually not one of mistaken identity.

“We sincerely apologize to Aretha Franklin’s family and friends,” Jessica Santostefano, Vice President Media Desk of Fox News, said in a statement. “Our intention was to honor the icon using a secondary image of her performing with Patti LaBelle in the full screen graphic, but the image of Ms. Franklin was obscured in that process, which we deeply regret.”

That explanation didn’t hold up, however, when people began doing a little more digging. The photo that Fox used was from a 2014 event called “Women of Soul: In Performance at the White House.” The PBS-hosted show did feature both singers, but the original AP photo shows that the two never shared the stage.

Fox News Uses Patti LaBelle Photo In Aretha Franklin Memorial Segment
REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Fox News Uses Patti LaBelle Photo In Aretha Franklin Memorial Segment

For her part, LaBelle hasn’t commented on the mix-up but did pay respects to her “sister in song,” with whom she long had a contentious relationship.

Fox News hasn’t released further comment after people punched holes in their explanation. As HuffPost pointed out, “Most outlets have made a mistake on a photo or caption at some point in time, but Fox News’ supposed explanation raises more questions than it answers.”

What are your thoughts on Fox News’ “Queen of Soul” blunder? Was it Funny or Offensive? Vote and comment now…

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