Austria’s State TV is apologizing for broadcasting a 1930s Walt Disney cartoon that critics say reinforces anti-Semitic stereotypes of the era.
The broadcasted version of “The Three Little Pigs” depicted the Big Bad Wolf disguised as a Jewish beggar, complete with a long nose, beard and caftan, as he tried to gain entry to one of the pigs’ homes. The Austria Press Agency says it was seen on one of the network’s children’s programs.
Program director Wolfgang Lorenz expressed his “great” regrets that the cartoon was broadcast. He spoke of a slip-up that evaded the “strictest quality criteria,” and said he would make sure that “such a mistake … will not occur again.” — ap