An interview with Clint Eastwood has been revealed to be a hoax. The conversation never took place. But the fuss about the journalist is hypocritical.

An interview with Clint Eastwood, published in the Austrian daily newspaper "Kurier," is causing a stir. The film star's statements are completely irrelevant. Eastwood doesn't say anything earth-shattering. He simply longs "for the good old days when screenwriters wrote films like 'Casablanca' in small bungalows (...)." He laments the lack of ideas in Hollywood, and the many remakes irritate him. But that's how it is for many people. That's not why the interview has attracted much attention.

It's been scandalized because it didn't happen. "Absolutely bogus," writes the American publication "Deadline." The piece is a hoax. Eastwood himself contacted the industry portal and clarified that he hadn't given an interview to the "Courier" or anyone else in recent weeks. "All I can confirm is that I turned 95," the veteran star added with his typically gnarly humor.

The report of fake news quickly spread. "Scandal over fabricated interview," headlined the "Tages-Anzeiger," which was reminiscent of "Tom Kummer's fabrications." Der Spiegel magazine immediately took the opportunity to question the journalist's "other work." The magazine found it suspicious that freelance writer Elisabeth Sereda had recently managed to interview Jude Law, Cate Blanchett, and Pamela Anderson—"all superstars who are hard to get close to."

That, however, is also bogus. Pamela Anderson, for example, commented on the promotion of the film "The Last Showgirl" on all channels. Jude Law, for example, is happy to be interviewed anyway. In fact, there is hardly a single serious case of fake news involving Clint Eastwood and the "Kurier." The editorial team investigated the matter and discovered that Sereda, who had worked as a freelance writer for the publication for ten years, had indeed sat at a table with Clint Eastwood. Several times, in fact. Not recently, though. And before that, only as part of so-called "round tables," where several journalists share a star for a brief meeting.

Apparently, Sereda has now cobbled together a new interview from these older group discussions. This is, of course, dishonest and foolish. She must have been aware that the risk of being exposed was high. Clint Eastwood gives a world-exclusive interview to the Austrian newspaper "Kurier"? Who would believe it?

The "Kurier" now no longer intends to work with the author. This seems harsh, however. The outrage against Sereda is disproportionate and hypocritical. Interviews with Hollywood stars, in particular, often arise from group discussions, but are rarely identified as such. The reader is supposed to get the impression that the celebrity has only taken time for their own publication.

Sereda undoubtedly went even further. She deserves to be exposed. But she clearly didn't invent any quotes; she's no Tom Kummer, no Claas Relotius. The reflex of many media outlets to target the author reveals a denunciatory streak. Journalists often take too much pleasure in acting as judges. The moralism is offensive.

Sure, Clint Eastwood was right to complain about the interview. Even better, to put it quite selflessly, would be if he took the time for a proper conversation again.