George Clooney On Sony Hack And Threat: ‘Media Abdicated Its Real Duty;' Proposes Petition To Rally Industry Peers, Met With Lukewarm Response; Says ‘The Interview’ Should Be Published

George Clooney on Sony hack fallout; nobody stood beside the film company in support.

George Clooney spoke up on the Sony hack, and the apparent lack of support Hollywood and the media offered a company being bullied.

Clooney joins Stephen King, Judd Apatow and Aaron Sorkin in expressing disapproval at the turnout of events in light of the Sony hack, saying the media "abdicated its real duty, and we have allowed North Korea to dictate content, and that is just insane."

The "Ocean's Eleven" actor proposed a petition for industry peers, in an effort to rally against those responsible for the Sony hacks. His initiative was met with lukewarm response, though. He expressed his frustration:

  "All that it is basically saying is, we're not going to give in to a ransom. As we watched one group be completely vilified, nobody stood up. Nobody took that stand. Nobody wanted to be the first to sign on. Now, this isn't finger-pointing on that. This is just where we are right now, how scared this industry has been made." (theguardian.com)

Backing up Obama's recent stand, George Clooney wanted overwhelming response against the Sony hack and recent threat; the fact that not even one person signed his petition is alarming, according to the actor. He read the details in an interview with Deadline:

"This is not just an attack on Sony. It involves every studio, every network, every business and every individual in this country. That is why we fully support Sony's decision not to submit to these hackers' demands.

We know that to give in to these criminals now will open the door for any group that would threaten freedom of expression, privacy and personal liberty. We hope these hackers are brought to justice but until they are, we will not stand in fear. We will stand together."

Clooney also advised Sony co-chairman to push through with online distribution; the movie should be released.

"Stick it online. Do whatever you can to get this movie out. Not because everybody has to see the movie, but because I'm not going to be told we can't see the movie. That's the most important part. We cannot be told we can't see something by Kim Jong-un, of all ****ing people."