An editor of a Dutch magazine has apologised to Rihanna over a racial slur in the publication, insisting it was meant as "a joke".
In the latest issue of Jackie, the Umbrella hitmaker was referred to as a "n**ger b**ch", causing outcry from readers who were shocked by the article.
Now editor-in-chief Eva Hoeke has taken to the magazine's Facebook.com page to apologise for the remark.
She writes, "While the author meant no harm - the title of the article was intended as a joke - it was a bad joke, to say the least. And that slipped through my, the editor-in-chief's, fingers. Stupid, painful and sucks for all concerned.
"I hope that you all believe there was absolutely no racist motive behind the choice of words. It was naive to think that this was an acceptable form of slang. You hear it all the time on TV and radio, then your idea of what is normal apparently shifts - but it was especially misguided: there was no malice behind it."
Rihanna was less than impressed with the apology and took to Twitter.com to slate Hoeke for the article.
In a series of angry tweets, Rihanna writes, "I hope u can read english, because your magazine is a poor representation of the evolution of human rights! I find you disrespectful, and rather desperate!! You ran out of legit, civilized information to print!
"You put two words together, with the intent of abasement, that made no sense...'N**GA B**CH'?!....Well with all respect, on behalf of my race, here are my two words for you...F**K YOU!!!"
(WENN)