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Stunned by a massive leak of sensitive documents, Sony Pictures Enterprises embarked Sunday on an attempt to contain the crisis by discouraging further media coverage of the leaked emails, which have embarrassed Hollywood stars and the studio's top executives.

Lawyer David Boies, writing on Sony's behalf to the Los Angeles Times and other news organizations, described the leaked material as "stolen information" and called on media outlets to destroy emails or other Sony documents in their possession.

First Amendment lawyers said that any attempt to block further publication of the material was likely to fail, and crisis management specialists said the effort could do Sony more harm than good.

The attempt to suppress coverage of the leaked information underscored how few options Sony has in responding to anonymous hackers who have thrown its business into turmoil, and who have shown no signs of relenting.

The hackers released a trove of sensitive data starting Nov. 24, including salaries of top executives and Social Security numbers of thousands of employees. The breach is expected to cost Sony tens of millions of dollars in computer security upgrades and damage control measures.

One series of emails showed studio Co-chairman Amy Pascal joking with producer Scott Rudin over whether President Obama prefers black-themed films such as "The Butler." Pascal and Rudin both apologized, but industry analysts have speculated that the emails could jeopardize the jobs of both Pascal and Chairman Michael Lynton.

A group calling itself Guardians of Peace has claimed responsibility, demanding that Sony cancel the Dec. 25 release of "The Interview," a comedy depicting a fictional assassination attempt on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The FBI is investigating the hack.

In his letter to media outlets, Boies wrote that the documents are "protected under U.S. and foreign legal doctrines protecting attorney-client privileged communications ... as well as private financial and other confidential information and communications."

Sony "does not consent to your possession, review, copying, dissemination, publication, uploading, downloading, or making any use of the stolen information, or making any use of the stolen information," wrote Boies, whose clients have included Microsoft Corp. and former Vice President Al Gore.

The Times stood by its coverage.

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Sony calls on media to stop publishing hacked documents