Don't Email Anything You Wouldn't Want The Whole World To Read

Sony Corp (ADR)'s SNE email leaks have served as an important reminder to be careful about sending messages that you wouldn't want others to read.

For example, producer Scott Rudin referred to Angelina Jolie as a "minimally talented spoiled brat." That revelation did not go over well when the actress found out what her colleagues really think of her.

That's just the tip of the iceberg, but most of the negative comments may be forgiven. This is Hollywood, after all -- an industry where actors are paid an exorbitant amount of money to appear on screen. Why hold a grudge when millions of dollars are on the line?

Related Link: Sony Hackers Are Taunting Employees

Crossing The Line

It could be much more difficult for Rudin and Sony Pictures Entertainment chief Amy Pascal to overcome their remarks about President Obama. They jokingly suggested that Obama only watches films with African American actors.

Pascal quickly apologized for her remarks, but the damage is far from over.

"The content of my emails to Scott [Rudin] were insensitive and inappropriate but are not an accurate reflection of who I am," she said, as quoted by Deadline. "Although this was a private communication that was stolen, I accept full responsibility for what I wrote and apologize to everyone who was offended."

Pascal has since met with Al Sharpton and will reportedly work with him to bring more diversity to Hollywood.

Afraid To Click 'Send'

If anything good comes out of the hacking, it's that studio execs are now afraid to send emails.

That might be the wrong attitude, however. Instead of being afraid to use a modern form of communication that leaves a paper trail, wouldn't it be better to simply avoid saying things that might be offensive to others?

Twitter Inc TWTR should be considered the ultimate test. If a message isn't safe to tweet, it probably shouldn't be sent in an email.

Then again, not everyone knows what not to post on Twitter.

Be prudent about what you publish and watch your words.

Disclosure: At the time of this writing, Louis Bedigian had no position in the equities mentioned in this report.