George Clooney Speaks Up Against Fabricated ‘Daily Mail’ Story

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    George Clooney spoke up against the Daily Mail, accusing the news outlet of writing irresponsibly in regard to his fiancée, the human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin.

    “I seldom respond to tabloids, unless it involves someone else and their safety or well being. The Daily Mail has printed a completely fabricated story about my fiancée’s mother opposing our marriage for religious reasons,” he wrote in a statement he released to USA Today. “It says Amal’s mother has been telling ‘half of Beirut’ that she’s against the wedding. It says they joke about traditions in the Druze religion that end up with the death of the bride.”

    “First of all, none of the story is factually true. Amal’s mother is not Druze. She has not been to Beirut since Amal and I have been dating, and she is in no way against the marriage — but none of that is the issue. I’m, of course, used to the Daily Mail making up stories — they do it several times a week — and I don’t care,” he stated. What he does care about, however, is “the irresponsibility, in this day and age, to exploit religious differences where none exist, is at the very least negligent and more appropriately dangerous. We have family members all over the world, and the idea that someone would inflame any part of that world for the sole reason of selling papers should be criminal.”

    The Daily Mail begs to differ, issuing this statement as published by The Guardian:

    “The Mail Online story was not a fabrication but supplied in good faith by a reputable and trusted freelance journalist.

    She based her story on conversations with a long-standing contact who has strong connections with senior members of the Lebanese community in the UK and the Druze in Beirut.

    We only became aware of Mr. Clooney’s concerns this morning and have launched a full investigation.

    However, we accept Mr. Clooney’s assurance that the story is inaccurate and we apologize to him, Miss Amal Alamuddin and her mother, Baria, for any distress caused.

    We have removed the article from our website and will be contacting Mr. Clooney’s representatives to discuss giving him the opportunity to set the record straight.”

    By Clooney’s last lines in his statement, it sounds like he may not be interested in further speaking to the Daily Mail.

    “The Daily Mail, more than any other organization that calls itself news, has proved time and time again that facts make no difference in the articles they make up. And when they put my family and my friends in harm’s way, they cross far beyond just a laughable tabloid and into the arena of inciting violence.

    “They must be so very proud.”

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