The Stream

Newsweek accused of ‘racism’ and ‘fear mongering’

Magazine cover image and story on Ebola generate firestorm of criticism.

Newsweek’s cover story on potential Ebola transfer into the US has readers crying racism for both image choice and content. Published August 21 under the title “A back door for Ebola-Smuggled bushmeat could spark a US epidemic”, the magazine promotes the story with a chimp on its cover.

The story sparked criticism from activists, academics, bloggers and journalists, many using the hashtag #NewsweekFail.