A variety of news outlets are reporting that four major critics organizations have now joined a protest against all Disney properties, wherein they will refuse to consider any of their films for awards. This all comes after Disney decided to impose a “media blackout” on the Los Angeles Times, due to a Sept. 24 article that questioned Disney’s financial arrangements with the city of Anaheim, California.
Over the last two decades or so, as Disney’s annual profit has soared, the company has secured subsidies, incentives, rebates and protections from future taxes in Anaheim that, in aggregate, would be worth more than $1 billion, according to public policy experts who have reviewed deals between the company and the city.
The investigative report comes at a time when the city of Anaheim is proclaiming a lack of resources and making some inhumane and unpopular moves to deal with a rising homeless population. On Nov. 4, the Los Angeles Times published an article explaining that they had been barred from attending any and all advanced screenings of Disney properties. As Variety explains, the four critic groups are large organizations not known for this kind of unity or resistance.
“Disney’s actions, which include an indefinite ban on any interaction with The Times, are antithetical to the principles of a free press and set a dangerous precedent in a time of already heightened hostility toward journalists,” the statement said.
“It is admittedly extraordinary for a critics’ group, let alone four critics’ groups, to take any action that might penalize film artists for decisions beyond their control,” the groups added. “But Disney brought forth this action when it chose to punish The Times’ journalists rather than express its disagreement with a business story via ongoing public discussion. Disney’s response should gravely concern all who believe in the importance of a free press, artists included.”
Freedom of the press is important—even for things that seem as frivolous as a Marvel superhero movie.