By Jeffrey Jolson

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 6/15/07 — “It was excessive and I would not have put it out,” said Angelina Jolie about a contract for media to speak to her that has outraged journalists as it dictates allowed questions.

“There was a memo that was sent out asking if they would sign it, it was not mandatory,” the actress said on the “Daily Show” to Jon Stewart. “It was representatives trying to be protective.”

However Fox and other news organizations have been up in arms about what they consider an attempt to muzzle the press, especially since her new film is about a reporter and freedom of the press, “A Mighty Heart,” from Paramount Vantage.

“Jolie turns out to be a mighty hypocrite when it comes to her own freedom of the press” said Fox.

Reporters from most major media outlets balked Wednesday when they were presented with an agreement drawn up by Jolie’s Hollywood lawyer Robert Offer, according to Fox. The contract closely dictated the terms of all interviews.

Reporters were asked to agree to “not ask Ms. Jolie any questions regarding her personal relationships. In the event Interviewer does ask Ms. Jolie any questions regarding her personal relationships, Ms. Jolie will have the right to immediately terminate the interview and leave.”

The agreement also required that “the interview may only be used to promote the Picture. In no event may Interviewer or Media Outlet be entitled to run all or any portion of the interview in connection with any other story. … The interview will not be used in a manner that is disparaging, demeaning, or derogatory to Ms. Jolie.”

Fox also railed on about being snubbed from the red carpet for the film, the capricious distinction that changes daily as publicists are hired and fired. What was important was crossing new lines from simply protecting images to controlling media.

Stewart, the first TV person to ask Jolie about the issue, asked “personal” questions freely and gave her the opportunity to answer or not.

For instance — as for more children being adopted by her and mate Brad Pitt she replied there might even be more. And later said “Four is kicking our ass, but we think we are up to the challenge.”