*We can’t help but wonder if CNN’s gonna blink first.
You see, the network is scheduled to air the documentary “The Hunting Ground” tonight (Nov. 22) at 8pm Eastern.
However, a lawyer for Jameis Winston, now the QB for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is threatening a lawsuit if the global news outlet airs the doc.
The issue, as far as the Winston camp is concerned is that the film, not surprisingly, focuses on Winston and the accusation of sexual assault against him in 2013. However, neither the Tallahassee Police Department nor Florida State University took any action against Winston. Additionally, the alleged victim, Erika Kinsman, speaks publicly about the case for the first time in the documentary. Both Winston and Kinsman are currently suing each other in court.
The Hollywood Reporter obtained a copy of a letter from attorney John Boudet sent to CNN president Jeff Zucker and the network’s general counsel. Here’s a portion:
“We are writing to formally caution CNN that the portions of the film ‘The Hunting Ground’ pertaining to Mr. Winston are false and defamatory to Mr. Winston. We urge CNN to reconsider the reckless decision to proceed with the broadcast of this deeply-flawed documentary in the face of the overwhelming evidence the film’s producers consciously and intentionally failed to adhere to any accepted journalistic standards. The filmmakers’ complete disregard for journalistic standards of fairness, objectivity and accuracy has, predictably, resulted in a film that, at least with respect to Mr. Winston is inaccurate, false, misleading and defamatory.”
You can read the complete letter at THR, along with an e-mail from a producer on the film that states the project “is very much in the corner of advocacy for victims.”
“The Hunting Ground” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January, subsequently receiving a limited theatrical release on Feb. 27, and has already generated controversy for charges of inaccuracy.
Read/learn MORE of this YardBarker/Awful Announcing report at MSN News.
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