If a prominent Rabbi (meaning someone who heads a community or institution, not just anyone who has semicha) makes a statement that is technically halachically correct/acceptable but is easily misconstrued or misunderstood. If that comment becomes public knowledge, meaning it is posted online and seized upon by the media in a way that brings shame to either the Rabbi, his affiliated organization or Judaism as a whole; should the Rabbi apologize? Please cite sources either from chazal or written halachic rulings.
I am assuming
- What was said does not violate halacha in any way
- The thing that was said was done so not expecting that it would be exposed to the greater world