Disney ends L.A. Times ban after widespread backlash

Source: MSN/Associated Press

The Walt Disney Co. on Tuesday lifted its ban of Los Angeles Times reporters and critics from its press screenings after a widespread backlash prompted several media outlets to announce their own boycotts of Disney movies.

In a statement Tuesday, Disney said it was restoring access to the newspaper after "productive discussions with the newly installed leadership" at the Los Angeles Times. Disney had barred the Times from its screenings after the paper published a two-part investigative series on the company's business dealings in Anaheim, California, where Disneyland is.

Disney's punitive measures against the Times led to many outlets refusing advance coverage of the studio's films, including The New York Times, the Boston Globe and The A.V. Club. Four prominent film critics groups announced Tuesday that they would bar Disney films from receiving awards consideration

The ban's withdraw Tuesday ended an unusual clash between Hollywood's arguably most powerful studio and the media outlets that regularly write about its movies.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/disney-ends-la-times-ban-after-widespread-backlash/ar-AAuxpwB?li=BBnbfcL

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The LA Times was reporting how Disney had poured major money into trying to control the City of Anaheim's City Council to elect candidates who would agree to major subsidies.