Fox News Cans Reporter Who Reviewed Leaked "Wolverine"

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 7, 2009 - 11:09am.
New York - News Corp.'s (NYSE: NWS) Fox News unit has fired ten-year veteran entertainment reporter Roger Friedman, after Friedman posted a review of the unfinished copy of 20th Century Fox's film "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" that was leaked onto the Internet. The film, which is not due in theaters until May 1, appeared on file-sharing networks last Tuesday; Friedman posted his review on FoxNews.com on Thursday, and by Friday Fox had pulled it offline.

"Fox News representatives and Roger Friedman met today and mutually agreed to part ways immediately," the company said in a statement released on Monday.

"Fox News appreciates Mr. Friedman's ten years of contributions to building foxnews.com and wishes him success in his future endeavors."

20th Century Fox has said that the FBI is investigating the film's pre-release leak onto the Internet -- a crime that carries a sentence of up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

 

Poll: Did Fox News Do The Right Thing When Firing Friedman For Reviewing A Pirated Copy Of Wolverine?

 

Related Links:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20090406006347/en

http://snipurl.com/fg06p (DMW previous coverage)

Comments

Good They Should Fire All Theives

You know had the music industry taken this stance and went after reporters, fans..or should I say supposed fans, and anyone else who stole then the Music and Movie Business would still be a growing part of America. All of you that have stole music or movies you are terrorist and have blame in the economy downfall of the United States and the global economy. Let's not mince words, if you didn't pay for it and the band or movie studio didn't offer it directly for free themselves then you are a theif, plain and simple. Be proud of who you are and the mess you have made...tatoo it on your head...Dumb *ss

^ Muisc Piracy Cannot be Equated with Terrorism

As a musician myself, I do not approve of illegally downloading music, movies or anyone else's intellectual property. Friedman made a remarkably ignorant move by reviewing a movie ONLY released illegally at the time--what was he thinking?! I see a gross over-exaggeration here though, and had to respond to it. The anonymous poster above seems to think file sharing and terrorism are somehow equivocal: this is ridiculous and clearly untrue. Terrorists kill and try to destroy our way of life, not download mp3s on Limewire. Also, music piracy is not at all linked the economic downturn and I'd challenge this person to even find a link between the two.

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