Kristi Capel: Fox News anchor apologises after using racial slur to describe Lady Gaga's music

A Fox 8 news anchor has issued a public apology after she being slammed for using a racist slur to describe Lady Gaga's music.

Kristi Capel provoked fierce backlash after she used the word "jibaboo" during an on air segment about the pop star's Sound of Music tribute at the Oscars.

"It's really hard to hear her voice with all that 'jigaboo' music, whatever you want to call it ... 'jigaboo'," Capel said.

"She has a gorgeous voice. I never knew."

Capel continued her conversation with co-anchor Wayne Dawson blissfully unaware that her way of communicating her views could be considered offensive.

Jigaboo is a derogatory term, historically used to refer to black people, or people with a darker skin tone.

Although Dawson's expression may suggest that he noticed his colleague's gaffe, he chose not to address.

However, viewers were not so forgiving, some even calling for her to be fired.

Don't let @Kristi_Capel off so easy. Reporters typically do not "make words up", so...what did you think "jigaboo" meant? Be honest for once
— The HaterNation Show (@TheHaterNation) February 24, 2015

Speaking of ignorant, has @Kristi_Capel been fired yet? There's no way she grew up in Missouri & doesn't know what that awful word means.
— Dave Fraser (@d_phrase) February 24, 2015

You didn't know jiggaboo was a word, HOWEVER, it still found its way into your sentence... Twice. pic.twitter.com/rnPPoAzh55
— This is redundant. (@Burrrittanie) February 24, 2015

In the wake of the backlash, Capel jumped on social media to apologise for the remark and also expressed her remorse to several of her Twitter followers.

I deeply regret my insensitive comment. I didn't know the meaning and would never intentionally use hurtful language. I sincerely apologize
— Kristi Capel (@Kristi_Capel) February 23, 2015

It would not be the first time an on-air slur has gotten an anchor in hot water.

In 2013, NBC's AJ Clemente was captured muttering a homophobic slur into his microphone as he joined co-host Van Tieu to present the North Dakota News.

In the 30-second clip, posted on shock media site Liveleak.com, he can be heard saying "Gay f**king sh*t", before Tieu introduces him to viewers ahead of the evening report.