George Clooney Condemns 'Daily Mail' For False Reporting; British Tabloid Removes Article In Question

by Chelsea ReganJuly 9, 2014, 12:00 amNews >

George Clooney penned an article for USA Today to condemn British tabloid The Daily Mail for publishing an article regarding his future wife Amal Alamuddin, her mother's disapproval of their pending nuptials and her family's religion.

George Clooney Blasts 'The Daily Mail'

Clooney acknowledges that false reports are made daily – and sometimes about him – without him feeling the need to clear the air. However, this article, which targeted his loved ones and threatened to undermine their safety made the actor feel as though he had no choice but to speak out on their behalf to expose the dangerous fabrications..

"The Daily Mail has printed a completely fabricated story about my fiancée's mother opposing our marriage for religious reasons. It says Amal's mother has been telling "half of Beirut" that she's against the wedding," Clooney wrote for USA Today. "It says they joke about traditions in the Druze religion that end up with the death of the bride. Let me repeat that: 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," Clooney continued, adding, "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."

Clooney went on to state that, as the son of a former journalist, he appreciates the freedom of the press. He also acknowledges that as a celebrity, he may find himself the subject of a false report. If it's misreported that his fiancé is pregnant, Clooney is okay with that. It's false stories that could prove dangerous for those mentioned that he can't tolerate. He also points out at The Daily Mail is the biggest offender of playing fast and loose with facts.

"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," wrote the Gravity star. "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."

'The Daily Mail' Responds To Clooney

In response to Clooney's essay, The Daily Mail has removed the article in which they claimed Alamuddin's mother was opposed to her marrying the Hollywood A-lister. The paper also released the following statement:

"The MailOnline 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 U.K. 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."

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