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News that the controversial comedy movie The Interview will be shown on Christmas Day is dredging up a rather complicated, and confused, argument about the Constitutions First Amendment. <\/p>\n
As of Christmas Eve day, here is a quick recap of where we stand: <\/p>\n
Sony Pictures is now allowing independent theaters to show the movie in more than 200 locations, after Sony and major theaters pulled the film initially. Sonys computers were hacked by folks with alleged connections to North Korea. The hackers also made threats to harm people who attended movie screenings at the theater chain venues. <\/p>\n
Then, President Barack Obama called out Sony and the national theater chains. <\/p>\n
We cannot have a society in which some dictator someplace can start imposing censorship here in the United States, Obama said last Friday. <\/p>\n
Obamas comments and a huge push back from the entertainment industry were partially driven by concerns that North Korea, or at least its proxy in the form of the hackers, could dictate what companies can publish, in the form of a film, or any other type of digital content. <\/p>\n
They also drew a quick response from Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton, who said, First, I was surprised by the remark. But, I think actually the president and I are coming from the same place. We are obviously both strong proponents of the First Amendment. <\/p>\n
Sony also quickly pointed out that the major theater groups pulled the plug on the movie. <\/p>\n
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Read the original here:<\/p>\n
'The Interview' and First Amendment rights<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" News that the controversial comedy movie The Interview will be shown on Christmas Day is dredging up a rather complicated, and confused, argument about the Constitutions First Amendment. As of Christmas Eve day, here is a quick recap of where we stand: Sony Pictures is now allowing independent theaters to show the movie in more than 200 locations, after Sony and major theaters pulled the film initially. Sonys computers were hacked by folks with alleged connections to North Korea. Continue reading