Disney Ends Ban on Los Angeles Times Amid Fierce Backlash
- 7 years ago
Disney Ends Ban on Los Angeles Times Amid Fierce Backlash
On Tuesday, members of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the New York Film Critics Circle, the Boston Society of Film Critics
and the National Society of Film Critics denounced Disney’s blackout of The Los Angeles Times.
Each group voted to disqualify Disney’s movies from year-end award consideration unless the blackout was “publicly rescinded.”
The Los Angeles Times had made Disney’s blackout public in a note to readers last week
that explained why no feature articles about Disney movies appeared in its 2017 holiday movie preview section.
“We’ve had productive discussions with the newly installed leadership at The Los Angeles Times regarding our specific concerns,
and as a result, we’ve agreed to restore access to advance screenings for their film critics,” Disney said in a statement.
Disney’s decision to block Los Angeles Times journalists from advance screenings inadvertently
drew national attention to the articles on the company’s dealings with Anaheim.
Company representatives consistently tell journalists that the media’s access to its films and executives is “a privilege and not a right.”
In explaining this particular blackout, Disney cited a Los Angeles Times investigation
that was published in September about the company’s business ties to Anaheim, Calif., where its popular Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks are.
On Tuesday, members of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the New York Film Critics Circle, the Boston Society of Film Critics
and the National Society of Film Critics denounced Disney’s blackout of The Los Angeles Times.
Each group voted to disqualify Disney’s movies from year-end award consideration unless the blackout was “publicly rescinded.”
The Los Angeles Times had made Disney’s blackout public in a note to readers last week
that explained why no feature articles about Disney movies appeared in its 2017 holiday movie preview section.
“We’ve had productive discussions with the newly installed leadership at The Los Angeles Times regarding our specific concerns,
and as a result, we’ve agreed to restore access to advance screenings for their film critics,” Disney said in a statement.
Disney’s decision to block Los Angeles Times journalists from advance screenings inadvertently
drew national attention to the articles on the company’s dealings with Anaheim.
Company representatives consistently tell journalists that the media’s access to its films and executives is “a privilege and not a right.”
In explaining this particular blackout, Disney cited a Los Angeles Times investigation
that was published in September about the company’s business ties to Anaheim, Calif., where its popular Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks are.