. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP). “I suspect there are quite a number of people that could call in and say quite a few seamy things about you,” Wood says in the deposition. But his general approach is to ask questions and accept the response he receives — even if it’s a deceptive or inaccurate response.”, For what it’s worth, Trump applauded Hemmer’s hire, tweeting, “A great choice. She’s seen in a bar with FBI agent Tom Shaw (played by Jon Hamm in an amalgamation of several law enforcement officers involved in the investigation). What is whispered into Wilde’s ear by Hamm in the movie “was actually a long complicated conversation” from multiple sources that Scruggs pieced together from various pieces of intel,” Roughton said. Then she wrote her wish list for a new owner. The film asserts that tip, and pressure from Scruggs, led the newspaper to tear up its front page to run a story under the headline, “FBI Suspects ‘Hero’ Guard May Have Planted Bomb.” That created the media maelstrom that upended Jewell’s life, as depicted in the Eastwood-directed drama that Warner Bros opens Friday. Penny Furr was Kathy Scruggs’ roommate when the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter got a major scoop involving the investigation into the Centennial Olympic Park bombing. While he has not seen the movie, Wood said: “I do not recall any testimony or evidence that supports the specific storyline as you described it…I have no evidence to suggest that those rumors were true or that she ever engaged in any sexual act in exchange for information or tips, and I never made or asserted such a damning and unprovable claim,” said the attorney. I’m very angry that they would destroy a good, hard-working journalist who had an incredible reputation when she’s not alive to defend herself.”. We want to hear from you! “When things blew up, she discussed it with me. And what do they decide to do? History won’t wait.”. And here’s another example of journalism making a difference in Florida. “They editorialized wildly and printed assumptions as facts,” Ray said. Stelter and Darcy wrote, “Hemmer is significantly less confrontational. 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If Kathy were alive, they’d already be in court and I would have represented her if I needed to.”. “They would already have been sued. fits the profile of the lone bomber.” Another editor told Brenner, “The whole story is voice-of-God. The newspaper maintained it was law enforcement that rushed to judgment about Jewell, and the paper served its obligation to report what law enforcement was doing. While Jewell settled libel lawsuits against major media outlets including CNN, NBC and the New York Post, the AJC continued to fight for itself and eventually won a summary judgment that was upheld on appeal. Warner Bros. put out a statement Monday night, firing back at the AJC: “It is unfortunate and the ultimate irony that The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, having been a part of the rush to judgment of Richard Jewell, is now trying to malign our filmmakers and cast. He was named executive editor of The Daily Memphian — a primarily daily online publication that covers the Memphis, Tenn. community — on Monday. ‘Richard Jewell’ writer Billy Ray, left, with stars Kathy Bates and Paul Walter Hauser at Deadline’s The Contenders New York. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. Ray isn’t inexperienced or shortsighted when it comes to the dance between truth and dramatic license that is present in every retelling of narrative historical story on the big screen; it’s an area into which he has submerged himself many times before. We have made the decision to ban this individual from registering for all Savannah Sports Council owned races.”. That includes someone with deep pockets who cares about making an investment in community and democracy. Her reporting was tested in court and found accurate. She never said he did it or not. In her deposition, Scruggs said she did consider that as the paper was deciding whether to publish that first story she co-wrote Ron Martz. Ultimately, that has nothing to do with the portrayal of Scruggs in this movie. “To convict her of the mortal sin of trading sex for a story, it’s the worst thing conceivable you can do to a journalist. Earlier this week, however, the company hit back at a legal letter from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that suggested Eastwood’s film defamed Scruggs and falsely portrayed the paper’s reporting. Fox News has found a replacement for Shepard Smith. Richard Jewell isn’t just a biography, it’s a reminder about why the media are no longer trusted, and how they haven’t learned any lessons. For his part, Scruggs Jr. sounds resigned to the fact that he’s unlikely to get any kind of apology from Eastwood or the rest of the team behind “Richard Jewell.”, “I wish I could say it surprised me,” he says. Wood: Have you ever had a social relationship or dated or had a boyfriend that works for the Atlanta Police Department? It should be noted that Smith’s viewership numbers were among the lowest daytime numbers on Fox News, lending credence to the idea that Smith wasn’t a favorite among the network’s regular viewers. A male racer ran by her and smacked her on the rear end. Still, the newspaper technically was accurate in its reporting that the FBI was investigating Jewell. They’re particularly incensed by the suggestion that she slept with an FBI agent in order to get the Jewell scoop. Kathy Scruggs was the real-life reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution who reported that Jewell was under investigation. ‘Richard Jewell’ focuses on the real victim, seeks to tell his story, confirm his innocence and restore his name.”, The New York Times notes that a disclaimer at the end of the film says it was based on “actual historical events,” and “Dialogue and certain events and characters contained in the film were created for the purposes of dramatization.”, But that disclaimer hardly excuses saying an actual person did something as unethical as sleeping with a source just for the sake of “dramatization.”, Fox News’ Bill Hemmer. In the movie, Scruggs, played by actress Olivia Wilde, sleeps with an FBI agent, played by actor Jon Hamm, to get the story. To do so without any proof is appalling. She had big hair, wore short skirts, smoked cigarettes, and cussed like a sailor. In a meeting with staff, Ramos said, “After almost six years at IndyStar, it is time for another challenge. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. Wilde also is taking heat for her portrayal. Ramos joined the IndyStar in 2013 and took over the news operation in March of last year. or law enforcement — is less than if there is no public acknowledgment.” Walter admitted to Brenner he had not seen any documentation that validated the existence of an actual lone-bomber profile theory used by the FBI. The movie isn’t about Kathy Scruggs; it’s about the heroism and hounding of Richard Jewell, and what rushed reporting can do to an innocent man. . Perhaps that was the kernel that empowered the dramatic license that became part of the scripted narrative? She used bawdy banter as a weapon. Originally the paper reported it was to “pursue new opportunities.” Well that new opportunity is already here. Countered Ray: “The only creative license taken in the movie is actually in the redeeming of Kathy Scruggs. The deposition began at 9:55 A.M., and Wood delivered as advertised. Bill is a winner!”. Now a movie comes along 23 years later, a perfect chance for the AJC to atone for what they did to Richard and to admit to their misdeeds. The FBI did in fact investigate Jewell, wrongly suspecting that he might have planted the bomb, and a court even ruled that AJC's reporting was accurate. She never said he was guilty.”. In a November 26 AJC piece, Scruggs family friend and attorney Edward Tolley exclaims “That is complete horse (expletive)” about the quid pro quo scene in the film. “Without a foundation in fact, the film’s creators depict Kathy as a shrill and repugnant reporter who slept with her purported source to get a scoop,” he wrote. 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Alex Bozarjian, who works at NBC affiliate WSAV in Savannah, Georgia, retweeted the incident and added, “No woman should EVER have to put up with this at work or anywhere!! Read Next: ‘Sno Babies’ Review: A Teens-on-Heroin Drama Is Like ‘Requiem for a Dream’ as a YA Soap Opera, Tim Robbins to Launch Trump Satire and Podcast ‘Bobbo Supreme’ (EXCLUSIVE), New York Film Festival Chiefs on Moving Forward During COVID-19: ‘Nothing Was the Same’, M. Night Shyamalan Teams With Biden Campaign on Filmmaking Contest, Nation Expresses Shock After President Trump Reveals Positive COVID-19 Test, Trump and First Lady Test Positive for Coronavirus, How BTS and Its ARMY Could Change the Music Industry, ‘After We Collided’ Review: You Know, Maybe ‘Twilight’ Wasn’t So Bad After All, BTS Reflects on Songwriting, Inspiration and Artistry, Chadwick Boseman Could Be Among a Record Seven Posthumous Oscar Nominees – Awards Circuit, Grammys 2021: Who’ll Get Nods in Top 4 Categories? 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