Why Did Disney Fight With The La Times Summary

In Michael Phillips “Why did Disney call off its fight with the LA Times?,” Michael Phillips from the Chicago Tribune argues that Disney had abused their power in banning LA times due to them writing a “hit piece” on their investigative series on Disneyland in Anaheim. The purpose of the article was to take a stance against Disney’s action and to condemn them. Disney has used their massive corporate power to blacklist the LA times because they didn't like what they had to say, what is more disturbing is that Disney didn't refute or correct any of the LA Times claims. Although Disney retracted the blacklist after several publications decided to join LA times in solidarity, the damage had already been done; Disney has set the precedent that they
Philips argues that Disney taking a drastic action demonstrates that free speech and press could be cast aside for corporate intrested. Philips uses his experience as a Journalist to support his claim that Disney had abused their power so that they can control the press. By taking a stand with the LA times and other journalist, it created a sense of unity within the film critic community. Moreover, Philip uses other critics as evidence to further support that is is not only select publications refusing to support/watch Disney, but even film directions such as Ava DuVernay Disney’s own director. Furthermore, Philip asserts that Disney has set a precedent where corporate influence can take over journalism. Philips argues that was Disney did was against free speech and free press but more importantly it demonstrated that journalist and by extension journalism cannot be easily manipulated and influenced as they please. The piece is effective in being able to persuade the reader that Disney’s actions were reprehensible through his use of anecdotal evidence and his own experience, thus giving credibility to his