Barack Obama: Sony Made A Mistake Canceling The Interview

Following the news that Sony Pictures would indefinitely shelveThe Interview following terrorist threats from North Koreabased hackers, everyone from politicians to filmmakers to George R.R. Martincondemned the movie studio for bendingto the hackers demands and setting a precedent in the war against cyber attacks. In Barack Obamas year-end address Friday, amid comments on Cuba and job growth, the President also criticized Sony for pulling the comedy and overreacting to the threats.

I think [Sony] made a mistake, Obama said. We cannot have a society where some dictator someplace can start imposing censorship here in the United States. He addedthat the measures North Korea took towards censoring a comedy gives you a sense of the kind of regime were talking about.

Thats not what Americas about, the President continued. Again, Im sympathetic that Sony, as a private company, was worried about liabilities and this and that and the other. I wish theyd spoken to me first. I would have told them, Do not get into a pattern in which youre intimidated by these kinds of criminal attacks.'

Obama also confirmed the FBIs report that North Korea was solely behindthe cyber attack and promised to respond to their actions in some capacity, but didnot elaborate on whether it would be through military action, economic sanctions or other course. Weve been working up a range of options, the Presidentsaid, adding that the response will be proportional and appropriate.

Obama alsojoked that he loves Seth [Rogen] and James [Franco], but he did not reveal whether The Interview is among the films he plans to screenduringhis Christmas vacation.