"More Loyalty Expected": Elisabeth Sereda Criticizes "Kurier" After Eastwood Debacle

Following the uproar over an interview with Clint Eastwood published in the "Kurier," which the Hollywood star described as "completely fabricated," the responsible journalist Elisabeth Sereda has now spoken out. In the ORF program "Good Morning Austria," she defended her actions and said that the "Kurier" knew it was not a current interview. "Kurier" editor-in-chief Martin Gebhart strongly disagreed with this when asked by APA.

Falsely gave the impression of a current interview with the Hollywood star

The text appeared in the "Kurier" several days ago on the occasion of Eastwood's 95th birthday - in the form of a question-and-answer interview. The fact that this gave the impression of a current conversation is evident, not least because numerous media outlets adopted quotes from the interview. The internationally active news agency Reuters also translated many excerpts from the "Kurier" article, which quickly spread the statements. Reuters has since withdrawn the report. Eastwood himself said he had not given any interviews in recent weeks and was not familiar with the "Kurier," which even prompted the "New York Times" to write a detailed article.

Clint Eastwood does not know the "Kurier" at all

That Eastwood does not know the "Kurier" is true, Sereda now said on ORF. Throughout her career, she has conducted numerous interviews with the actor and director not as a "Kurier" journalist, but as a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). Typically, other journalists are also present, all of whom are entitled to use the statements for articles.

Sereda published a "Best-of" from various interviews in the "Kurier"

On occasions like birthdays, it is common to use a "Best-of from several interviews." "And that was the case here. I took quotes from several of my interviews to celebrate Eastwood and his life," said Sereda, who has been conducting interviews with stars for the "Kurier" as a freelance journalist for a decade and has also worked with ORF or the "Kronen Zeitung" in the past.

"They knew": Journalist disappointed about abrupt end of collaboration

Most recently, she spoke with Eastwood in person "just before the pandemic." After that, there were mostly only online interviews. She noted that neither she nor the "Kurier" sold the interview as exclusive or new. The daily newspaper also knew that she "did not get the interview with Clint Eastwood three days before the print date." "They knew that," said Sereda. Therefore, she is very sorry that the "Kurier" ended the collaboration with her in response to Eastwood's allegations. "I would have expected a bit more loyalty from a medium I have written for so many years," said the journalist.

Editor-in-chief Gebhart: Was "never even hinted at"

In response to an APA inquiry, "Kurier" editor-in-chief Gebhart stated that Sereda "never even hinted" in the email correspondence between her and the responsible department that it was not a current interview. "The text was submitted as an interview," said Gebhart.

Not the last inconsistency in Sereda's texts

The "ZiB1" has also found inconsistencies in other texts by Sereda. According to the ORF news program, interviews with Jude Law, Mia Farrow, or Ben Affleck contain statements that were made verbatim elsewhere. The "Kurier" also wants to investigate this. "We must and will look into this," said Gebhart.

Confronted with this on "Guten Morgen Österreich," Sereda stated that "actors and directors are asked the same questions by many people." She also pointed out again that in many interviews, colleagues are present who use the statements in different countries.

Austrian Press Council becomes active in the Eastwood case

The Eastwood interview is now a matter for the Austrian Press Council. Several reports have already been received, said Press Council managing director Alexander Warzilek in an APA interview. The key factor in assessing whether it constitutes an ethical violation is the extent to which the impression of a current interview was created.

For the present case, point 2 of the Code of Ethics for the Austrian press is particularly relevant. This deals with accuracy and correctness in the research and presentation of news. A fabricated interview would clearly be an ethical violation, said Warzilek. However, Elisabeth Sereda stated that all statements were indeed made by Eastwood.

Press Council decision likely in September

Such a case has not yet been dealt with by the Press Council, said Warzilek. The decisive factor will be whether the impression of a current interview was created or whether it was sufficiently clear that the journalist did not recently meet Eastwood for a conversation. A decision is not expected before September due to the upcoming summer break.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.