Sony CEO praises fight for freedom of speech
In his first public comments about The Interview since the North Korea spoof set off an international incident, Sony chief Kazuo Hirai Monday praised employees, cinemas and audiences for standing up against “extortionist efforts of the criminals” responsible for cyber attacks on Sony Pictures.
Hirai opened Sony’s media presentation at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas with remarks about the film, saying he would be remiss if he did not.
“I am very proud of all the employees and … all the partners that we’ve worked with as well who have stood up against some of the extortionist efforts of the criminals that attacked Sony Pictures and its employees and worked tirelessly, literally 24 hours a day, sometimes on days on end, to bring The Interview to audiences.”
“Freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of association are very important life lines of Sony and our entertainment business,” he added.
Before the attacks, Hirai reportedly insisted Sony Pictures executives tone down the film’s gory assassination scene, which depicts the death of real-life North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to reports of internal company emails leaked by hackers who targeted the company.
The FBI last month said North Korea was responsible for the hack, and the US announced new sanctions against North Korea in retaliation last week.
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Stolen emails and Sony security
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