A US newsreader has apologised after using a racist term when talking about Lady Gaga's music.

WJW Channel 8 morning news anchor Kristi Capel was part of a discussion on Monday (February 23) about Lady Gaga's impressive Sound of Music medley at the Oscars.

However, she said: "It's hard to really hear [Gaga's] voice with all the jigaboo music that she does, or whatever you want to call it. She has a gorgeous voice - I never knew."

Capel was soon lambasted for saying the term 'jigaboo', which has historically been used as a racial term for black people.

The newsreader later took to Twitter to write: "I deeply regret my insensitive comment.

"I didn't know the meaning and would never intentionally use hurtful language. I sincerely apologise."

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Watch the newsreader's use of the word below: