Don't Be Evil - Restoring the Public Trust in Business, Politics and the Media

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Disney blocks film critical of Bush - 5/05/2004 12:07:00 AM

The New York Times is reporting that Disney has blocked its Miramax division from distributing the new Michael Moore film, Fahrenheit 9/11. There are some reports that Disney fears losing tax breaks in Florida, where Bush's brother Jeb is governor. Disney denies that, but does say that it would be against their interests to offend their customers with an inflammatory film.

Fahrenheit 9/11 is a documentary that "links Mr. Bush and prominent Saudis — including the family of Osama bin Laden — and criticizes Mr. Bush's actions before and after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks." The title is a take on a novel by Ray Bradbury (and later a movie), Fahrenheit 451.

451 is sci fi story about an "oppressive future" where a fireman must destroy all books because the government fears an "independent-thinking public" (IMDB). [Book, Criticism, PDF Study Guide, DVD] 451 degrees is the temperature at which paper burns. The tagline for Fahrenheit 9/11 is "the temperature where freedom burns."

According a post on his website, Moore says: "The whole story behind this (and other attempts) to kill our movie will be told in more detail as the days and weeks go on...this struggle has been a lesson in just how difficult it is in this country to create a piece of art that might upset those in charge (well, OK, sorry -- it WILL upset them...big time. Did I mention it's a comedy?)."

Apparently, the documentary will still be distributed outside North America, but there is some question whether it will be released in the United States before the November election.

An unnamed Disney executive is quoted as saying, "It's not in the interest of any major corporation to be dragged into a highly charged partisan political battle."

This may bolster arguments of those against media company consolidation. They contend that the information needed by citizens of a healthy democracy is being withheld or distorted by big corporate interests, and that the diversity of viewpoints and opinions is constrained without a vibrant mix of smaller, independent, and unbiased news sources.