Sorkin stands by 'Newsroom,' denies firing writing staff

Producer Aaron Sorkin sits for a photo with cast members Emily Mortimer (C) and Jeff Daniels (R) at the offices of HBO in New York, in this May 17, 2012 file photo. Sorkin's new series "The Newsroom" will premier on HBO on June 24. Photo was taken May 17, (REUTERS)

Oscar-winning writer Aaron Sorkin on Wednesday vigorously defended his controversial show set in a fictional cable TV newsroom, and refuted reports that he fired his writing staff.

Sorkin said that "Newsroom," which mixes real news stories with fictional characters in a workplace drama, was not intended to thumb its nose at the way established television channels have covered big news events.

Reuters