While Disney has spent years cultivating its wholesome, family friendly brand, they’re also a corporate giant who knows how to leverage their power. Earlier this week it was revealed how the company was turning the screws on cinema owners who want to show “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” Now, the company has retaliated against a major newspaper, simply because they didn’t like a story they ran.
Today, The LA Times published their annual holiday movie preview, but explained in a statement why there were no Disney movies featured:
The annual Holiday Movie Sneaks section published by the Los Angeles Times typically includes features on movies from all major studios, reflecting the diversity of films Hollywood offers during the holidays, one of the busiest box-office periods of the year. This year, Walt Disney Co. studios declined to offer The Times advance screenings, citing what it called unfair coverage of its business ties with Anaheim. The Times will continue to review and cover Disney movies and programs when they are available to the public.
Indeed, The LA Times two-part story, “Is Disney paying its share in Anaheim?” and “How one election changed Disneyland’s relationship with its hometown,” is an eye-opening look at the arguably one-sided relationship the company has with the California city that’s home to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. The report details how Disney has squeezed the city for subsidies, incentives, rebates and protections from future taxes to the point where city officials and citizens are wondering whether or not the mouse house is paying their fair share.
Simply put, Disney didn’t like the report, and in retaliation, has barred The LA Times from covering their movies. Reporter Glenn Whipp, who broke the James Toback sexual harassment and assault story, shared his thoughts about Disney’s actions on Twitter:
THREAD: Why there is no review of THOR: RAGNAROK in today's Los Angeles Times. https://t.co/SMh2xhGkMf
— Glenn Whipp (@GlennWhipp) November 3, 2017
Disney didn't like the Times' recent two-part story detailing Disneyland's business ties with the city of Anaheim.
— Glenn Whipp (@GlennWhipp) November 3, 2017
Which is significant because Iger is said to harbor political ambitions when he retires from Disney in 2019. https://t.co/ITQK6u4Vmi
— Glenn Whipp (@GlennWhipp) November 3, 2017
Also wondering: How does @ABC feel about this action?
— Glenn Whipp (@GlennWhipp) November 3, 2017
Disney has yet to respond publicly, but for a corporation that makes such careful, considered moves, it’s a strangely reactive approach to take to bad press. In fact, in barring LA Times reporters from their films, all they’ve done is shine a brighter light on the report they don’t like.
We’ll see if this policy changes as Disney ramps up to release their biggest movie of the year, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” next month.