Sony Fights Against Hackers, Who Threaten Violence at Theaters Playing “The Interview”

Hackers, yet unknown, exposed embarrassing, confidential and protected documents from Sony Pictures Entertainment along with threats for theaters featuring “The Interview,” a film originally scheduled for nationwide release December 25. Globalization in entertainment, technology, security, civil and privacy rights converge as suggested by the team of writers for this Washington Post essay. The comedy’s premise – a team of bumbling journalists are assigned to assassinate the current leader of North Korea – is tasteless on a number of fronts. Producers may have assumed that the dictator was a safe villain to mock, though media attorneys regularly caution against using names of living people in fictional accounts. It’s surmised by some analysts that North Korea contracted a team to disrupt the film; other analysts suspect an insider. The hackers also threatened 9/11-style attacks on theaters, and many venues backed off from showing the film. The hacking may reduce box-office receipts, but has put global attention on the film. – YaleGlobal