article_snippet.sent: Ben Affleck's attempt to alter the content of the program only publicly became known a few days ago after WikiLeaks released hacked emails revealing an exchange between Gates and Sony Pictures chief Michael Lynton.
article_snippet.sent: When Gates asked how Gates should respond to Ben Affleck's request to delete the material, Sony Pictures chief Michael Lynton responded, "all things being equal, I would definitely take it out.
article_snippet.sent: And on Tuesday, Ben Affleck, via Facebook, admitted that Gates had urged Gates to excise any reference to Gates slave-owning relative.
article_snippet.sent: Now Gates has publicly denied that Gates made Gates decision about the content of the program based on Ben Affleck's request, but it seems likely that Gates did.
article_snippet.sent: After all, Ben Affleck noted as much in Ben Affleck Facebook post, writing that Gates "agreed with me on the slave owner but made other choices I disagreed with.
article_snippet.sent: Whatever the results of the review, Ben Affleck Gates did the right thing.
article_snippet.sent: There's not even a hint that Ben Affleck strong-armed the producers or made any type of threats against the producers if the producers included the information.
article_snippet.sent: In the emails between Gates and Lynton, which they presumably believed at the time were confidential and would remain so, there was no mention of undue pressure by Ben Affleck.
article_snippet.sent: Instead, Gates simply noted that Ben Affleck"asked us to edit out something.
article_snippet.sent: After the emails were revealed, Gates issued a statement, saying, "Ultimately, I maintain editorial control on all of my projects and, with my producers, decide what will make for the most compelling program.