by George Rasley
A few weeks ago, we explained the new phenomenon of corporate totalitarianism where corporations campaign against their customers and betray their shareholders in pursuit of Left-wing political goals. Now, with their announcements that they are boycotting Georgia and Alabama over their adoption of pro-life legislation, it appears that media giants Disney and Netflix have become the latest members of the league of corporate totalitarians.
According to CNN Business, Netflix and Disney have said they will join WarnerMedia in a boycott of Georgia if the state’s new abortion law takes effect.
The state became a hub for entertainment industry production, in part because of generous tax breaks Georgia offers filmmakers and producers. But the companies are prepared to betray their fiduciary obligations to shareholders and give up those tax incentives and leave the state in pursuit of the Left’s morally bankrupt abortion agenda.
Reporting for CNN Business, Brian Stelter and Shannon Liao claim prominent celebrities and some production companies have vowed to boycott Georgia as a result of the state’s pro-life legislation. But, say Stelter and Liao, the deep pockets of Netflix and Disney “mean the companies have louder voices.”
Citing the concerns of the predominantly liberal-leaning stars and producers who make their comedies, dramas and other productions. Disney CEO Bob Iger told Reuters that the studio will find it “very difficult” to film in Georgia if the new law takes effect. “I think many people who work for us will not want to work there, and we will have to heed their wishes in that regard. Right now, we are watching it very carefully,” Iger said.
When the bill was signed into law, report Stelter and Liao, the heads of several production companies said they would not film in the state. They included Christine Vachon, chief executive officer of Killer Films; David Simon, creator of “The Wire” and “The Deuce” who heads Blown Deadline Productions; and Mark Duplass of Duplass Brothers Productions.
Director Reed Morano canceled plans to scout locations in Georgia for a forthcoming Amazon series. Director Ron Howard has also threatened to boycott if the law survives a legal challenge. And actor Kristen Wiig said that a comedy project had pulled out of the state.
Then came Netflix’s statement on Tuesday.
“We have many women working on productions in Georgia, whose rights, along with millions of others, will be severely restricted by this law,” Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos told Variety according to Stelter and Liao. “It’s why we will work with the ACLU and others to fight it in court. Given the legislation has not yet been implemented, we’ll continue to film there, while also supporting partners and artists who choose not to.” But — here’s the but — “should it ever come into effect, we’d rethink our entire investment in Georgia.”
Stelter and Liao report AT&T’s WarnerMedia, which is the parent company of HBO, TNT, TBS, CNN, and other brands, also said the company may stop making “new productions” in the state if the bill takes effect.
“We operate and produce work in many states and within several countries at any given time and while that doesn’t mean we agree with every position taken by a state or a country and their leaders, we do respect due process,” WarnerMedia said according to Stelter and Liao’s reporting. “We will watch the situation closely and if the new law holds we will reconsider Georgia as the home to any new productions. As is always the case, we will work closely with our production partners and talent to determine how and where to shoot any given project.”
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee tweeted a sentiment shared by many saying:
So Disney thinks most of its customers for its children’s movies and toys are women who aborted their babies rather than the ones who have a house full of kids? Disney CEO isn’t real smart.
So Disney thinks most of its customers for its children's movies and toys are women who aborted their babies rather than the ones who have a house full of kids? Disney CEO isn't real smart. https://t.co/IuDGN4D1C9
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) May 30, 2019
Huckabee’s tweet came as conservatives began to organize a counter-boycott on social media, with Twitter handle @Jennifercc777 tweeting, “Another one! Ironic on this one as their main target audience is children. Time to Boycott Disney and let them know why! #BoycottDisney”
https://twitter.com/Jennifercc777/status/1134139579836129280
Of course, the totalitarian impulses of these media companies are somewhat selectively directed – they shoot films in Tunisia where homosexuality is against the law and women are second class citizens, Bolivia, where abortion is illegal, Croatia, where abortion is illegal after 11 weeks and the UAE, where abortion is illegal and homoosexuality are illegal, but object to protecting the lives of unborn children in Georgia and Alabama.
Then again, they happily take investments from, and distribute their products in, Red China where freedom of expression is harshly suppressed, religious persecution is state policy and abortion is not just legal but often required, so maybe there is a certain totalitarian consistency to their policies.
And pro-life conservatives were quick to nail the hypocrisy.
“Whatever happened to the tolerant left? Is there no room for people who peacefully and respectfully voice their opposition to the loss of nearly one million innocent lives each year?” Focus on the Family president Jim Daly asked in a statement to LifeSiteNews. “When it comes to Netflix’s threat to boycott our friends in Georgia, the company’s tagline – ‘See What’s Next’ – seems to work both ways. To the company’s executives: Go ahead and turn your back on the good, decent and hardworking people of the Peach State – and we’ll see what’s next for a company that relies on the hard earned income of those of us who believe every life is precious and deserving of protection under law.”
“Quite frankly, I see this as more bluster from business just as we saw in North Carolina — all the companies threatening to pull out. Look, bottom line is they’re in it for the money,” Family Research Council president Tony Perkins said Tuesday on his radio show. “If you still have a subscription to Netflix – I got rid of mine because the content is becoming increasingly objectionable; that’s beyond their conduct as a business – contact them.”
“I think that Georgians and pro-life advocates canceling their Netflix subscriptions can do Netflix far more harm than Netflix boycotting Georgia,” Iowa pro-family activist Shane Vander Hart wrote. “I don’t care if a company is neutral on an issue I care about, but I do care when they work against me.”
We agree with Jim Daly, Tony Perkins and Shane Vander Hart – it’s time for a counter-boycott of Disney, Netflix and other media companies that work against the moral and religious choices of their customers and betray the interests of their shareholders in pursuit of Leftwing political causes.
