All is well again with The Walt Disney Company and The Los Angeles Times. For now.
After deciding to ban the newspaper from any future press screenings, Disney has finally changed its initial decision after being called out by different media outlets like The A.V. Club and The New York Times on the subject of the freedom of the press.
In an official statement obtained by The New York Times, Disney disclosed, "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's move to ban The LA Times came after the publication started its investigation of Disney in the city of Anaheim, CA where Disneyland is situated. As a reaction to the publication's inquiries, Disney reacted defensively with claims that The LA Times did not follow basic journalistic standards, forcing the entertainment company to ban the newspaper and its staff from any future Disney events and film screenings.
For their part, The Los Angeles Times has reiterated that Disney never asked nor requested changes or corrections be done to the articles they published. Disney has ignored the explanation of The LA Times and went ahead with their decision to ban the publication.
With Disney's move to ban The LA Times and prior to them changing their minds, several news outlets along with a lot of celebrities stood up in support of the The LA Times. One of these celebrities is director Ava DuVernay who helmed the Disney adaptation of the book "A Wrinkle in Time," which is slated to come out early next year. DuVernay sent out a tweet of support for the journalists, despite her film being connected with Disney.
Other news outlets have banded together and prepared to boycott Disney as a way to support freedom of the press. These groups stood up in support of The LA Times, threatening Disney with disqualification from future possible award considerations. It looks like the outrage of a lot of media outlets and celebrities was enough to change Disney's stance on the situation.
