Delta Airlines has apologised for an “inappropriate” Tweet it sent to congratulate the USA soccer team following its win over Ghana in the World Cup.
The Tweet featured and image of the Statue of Liberty to represent the US and a giraffe to represent Ghana… which doesn’t have giraffes.
The story of @Delta’s giraffe gaffe, via @CNN: http://t.co/NIFFTWIJPv pic.twitter.com/3nGmDBkVPs
— Storify (@Storify) June 17, 2014
The company was inundated with criticism from social media users, claiming it was ignorant and offensive.
The company quickly deleted the tweet but they weren’t quite speedy enough to avoid eagle-eyed Twitter users:
Preemptively, I think someone should let Delta know that Africa is also not a country. pic.twitter.com/a1FHJWI2Yq
— Elizabeth Plank (@feministabulous) June 17, 2014
When I was in Ghana I rode my giraffe around Accra everyday on the way to my Africa teepee.
— Mat Johnson (@mat_johnson) June 17, 2014
This is how @Delta reasoned. Giraffes are from Zambia. Zambia is in Africa. Ghana is in Africa so a Giraffe is Ghanaian @CedricMcCay
— Elias Munshya (@munshyamunshya) June 17, 2014
I was off Twitter for a few minutes. Has the emergency shipment of giraffes arrived in Ghana yet?
— Josh Barro (@jbarro) June 17, 2014
Hey Internet, maybe @Delta was trying to start a giraffe conservation discussion! Historical giraffe range: pic.twitter.com/isWyFXuXRQ
— anthony brown (@anthonybrown) June 17, 2014
my last @Delta flight pic.twitter.com/HUv1QVEzvA
— k8 (@rolling_2) June 17, 2014
Delta admitted that the original tweet was “inaccurate and inappropriate” and apologised for their choice of photo.
We’re sorry for our choice of photo in our previous tweet. Best of luck to all teams.
— Delta (@Delta) June 17, 2014
“As a global airline, we understand the role images play in shaping global perceptions,” it said in the statement.
“We also recognize our responsibility to create messages that are both accurate and inclusive. We take this responsibility seriously.
“Yesterday, we failed to meet this responsibility. For this, we sincerely apologize.”
Atlanta-based Delta, which has nearly 690,000 followers on Twitter, said that it is reviewing its procedures “to ensure that future images and posts reflect both our values and our global focus”, reports Fox Sports.