DUSTIN HOFFMAN - HOFFMAN SLAMS GULLIBLE PUBLIC

Screen legend DUSTIN HOFFMAN has criticised the way the media brainwashes people into believing everything they read - but confesses to succumbing to their power himself.

The MEET THE FOCKERS star's career in Hollywood has taught him how journalists twist reality to create good stories - he points to an urban myth claiming he was told to have cosmetic surgery if he wanted the lead part in THE GRADUATE as a pertinent example.

The 67-year-old says, "There was a story about PETER O'TOOLE and LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, and that got mixed up, as these things do in this proliferation of media. But no one ever asked me to get my nose done.

"You know, so much of what is written is bulls**t. People can't help but go by what they hear and what they read. And it becomes fact. (JOSEPH) GOEBBELS was right, and the (GEORGE W) BUSH campaign knows this. I'm no different myself.

"I believe everything I read. I'll be looking at something and I'll say, 'Hey LISA (HOFFMAN - his wife), did you know that BRAD PITT..?' We all do it."