Disney Bans distribution of Miramax Movie

[BenFranklin]

Well, I'm sure all you have read the news that Disney Corporate has banned the release of a new movie produced by Miramax, and written by Micheal Moore, ostensibly due to criticisms of the President. Now, I'm not a Democrat, and I know all the Republicans know that freedom of speech is paramount to Democratic society, so... why are we tolerating this? Disney is a wonderful company, but I don't want them to become censors of what can and can't be said or shown... and don't give me this "obscenity" or "support our troops" bull. Disney airs some of the most offensive programming on "the Family Channel", such as Temptation Island.... and remembet, the "reason" we're in iraq is to liberate teh citizens living under a repressive regime, remember? The regime that doesn't allow freedom of speech or dissent; the regime that controlled media outlets, both implicitly and explicitly. Removing that regime is why our 19 year old boys and girls being blown up in their Humvees. Removing that regime is why almost 4000 Iraqis have been killed. If we allow our own society to censor any speech -- no matter how offensive we might find the content -- we're allowing ourselves to be repressed. Look back through history and show me one civil society that prospered by blocking the art, debate, or speech.

Are we are going to sit by and let the same company whose products we allow our Children to consume and promote in our personal lives censor the work of another? Where will it stop?


Write to Disney. Write to Miramax. Tell them that you PROMOTE discussion and as an american, you want to promote debate.

 

[frustrated]

You know, there is a Debate over on the Debate Board, if you would like to argue about this. Seems to me they are just choosing not to distibute. Anyone else who wants to can.

 

[Dodie]

Ahem --- "Ben":

Just curious...

If you feel so strongly about this, why did you post under a "new" anonymous name?

I'm personally not a Michael Moore fan, but don't begrudge you your opinion. I just don't understand why people feel they have to hide behind pseudonyms.

Oh...and did you know that there is a debate board here? I think that must be where you MEANT to post this, right?

 

[WDWAurora]

I thought Temptation Island was on FOX network, not anything owned by Disney?

And also, this is a company, not the government, so don't they get to choose what they release and what they don't? I'm not remotely trying to pick a fight, I'm just trying to understand what you're saying.

 

[two4ruff]

I'm all for censorship on these boards - please move your discussion to the debate board where I'm sure there is someone for you to argue with.

Thank you.

 

[tc]

Because of our freedom, Disney has the right to ban whatever they want. They are not the government, just a company. I will not write to either.

 

[olena]

As a privately held company, it's their choice. They did the same thing with Song of the South.

 

[Kermit]

I would be more concerned if they weren't allowed to stop distribution. He's free to get his message out--he just needs to find a sponsor who wants to do it.

You pointed out that Disney is a child-centered company. I think if I were in control of such a family-oriented company, I'd probably choose to stop distribution of a film with a similar message myself.

 

[Grog]

I think people would take you a bit more seriously if you posted under your regular screen name instead of creating a new one. Creating a new screen name to post something controversial is pretty weak, IMO.

And if this is your only screen name, then you are a troll.

 

[kild]

And they actually told his manager that they would not distribute the movie before it was complete. His manager said that he hoped he could get that worked out before now.
Really, this has all blown up because Mel Gibson's company backed out on him. They didn't want to handle it, so, they go back to Mirimax/Disney and get told no, again.
I haven't supported the Disney management much lately, but I do applaud them for sticking with the first decision and not backing down.

 

[trishy]

BF that's BS - Disney has a right to not distribute any film they don't want to distribute. It's called business not censorship. They don't HAVE to distribute Moore's film and furthermore, I applaude their decision since I have the American right to hate Mr. Moore.

 

[teh fish]

"In May 2003, The Walt Disney Company communicated to Miramax and Mr. Moore's representatives that Miramax would not be the distributor of his film," Zenia Mucha, a Disney spokeswoman, said in a statement.

"Contrary to his assertions, Mr. Moore has had and continues to have every opportunity to either find another distributor or distribute the film himself," Mucha said.

http://money.cnn.com/2004/05/05/news/fortune500/disney_moore/index.htm?cnn=yes

Amazing that he's known that Disney would not distribute his film since last year. Free publicity perhaps.....