Ronan Farrow’s team is trying to protect the precious new MSNBC host from probing questions about his dysfunctional family. Reporters are being ordered to sign a form pledging they will not ask Farrow, the son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen (or possibly Frank Sinatra), personal questions if they want to attend a benefit where he will be honored Wednesday night.
Farrow — who has publicly stood behind his sister Dylan’s accusations that she was sexually abused by Allen when she was 7, and tweeted about the abuse allegations during the Golden Globes — is receiving the Cronkite Award for Excellence in Exploration and Journalism at Reach the World’s 14th annual benefit at the Princeton Club. Reporters have been issued a tip sheet that includes stern “conditions” not to ask anything about Allen.
“The theme of the evening is global education and service,” it says. “All press are required to stay strictly on message. Any press who ask guests or Mr. Farrow about off-message topics will be immediately escorted out of the event.”
A rep for the event further explained, “We would like you to sign the form or indicate by return e-mail that you understand our goals to stay completely on message given the surrounding circumstances. We will not tolerate press questions about personal or family affairs related to Mr. Farrow in any circumstance at this event. Farrow is not doing interviews and the rules come from his team direct to you.”
We’re also told delicate Farrow, who made his cable debut Monday with “Ronan Farrow Daily” — when he discussed topics including Lena Dunham’s battle with Jezebel and asked Michael Steele and Alex Wagner if they had ever been spanked — is getting the award because he “epitomizes the type of . . . individual who demonstrates exceptional global competence in his life’s work.”
Yale grad Farrow has an impressive résumé that includes work for UNICEF and Hillary Clinton. But while journalists are banned from asking questions as praise is poured on Farrow for his own excellence in journalism, would he submit to such rigid interview stipulations from guests on his own fledgling show? We doubt it.
But Farrow responded on Twitter, “I’d never demand anyone not ask me anything, obviously. (Doesn’t mean I have to answer though.)”