Philadelphia newspaper blames 'Chinky Winky' caption on proofreading error and Britisher editor

In the August 21st print edition of the Philadelphia Public Record, the free weekly tabloid published by former Philadelphia City Councilman Jimmy Tayoun Sr., current Philadelphia City Councilman Mark Squilla is pictured at an event in Chinatown with, among others, “Chinky Winky,” “Me Too,” and “Dinky Doo.”

“It was a proofreading error,” Tayoun said on Friday afternoon. According to Tayoun, the editor who used those names did so because he didn’t have the actual names.



When it was pointed out to Tayoun that there were actually more names than there were people, he reiterated, “It was a proofreading error.”

And when asked why the editor didn’t use a generic placeholder instead of an ethnic slur, he insisted that there’s no prejudice or bigotry involved here. "That editor is a Britisher," Tayoun explained. "He didn't mean anything by it. The Public Record is the most inclusive publication in Philadelphia." The Public Record has now issued something of an apology.