“Mickey Mouse Monopoly,” a documentary on Disney and the
messages in its films, covered everything from racial stereotypes to
propaganda.
The documentary inspected underlying messages in Disney
movies and racial stereotyping with some characters. The Siamese cats featured
in “Lady and the Tramp” were just one
example.
What was more shocking than some hidden messages in certain
Disney films was how powerful of a corporation Disney has become. In a
capitalistic economy it is normal for companies to become large and powerful
enough to buy up other companies. “Mickey Mouse Monopoly” focused on Disney
gaining media ownership.
Disney now owns a multitude of TV channels including: ABC,
ESPN, The History Channel, Military History, A&E TV and Lifetime just to
name a few. Those are just the TV channels. Disney also owns plenty of news
outlets, a topic of controversy according to the documentary.
One man in the documentary said Disney has made itself
virtually inescapable on purpose. For instance, Disney can come out with a
movie that isn’t popular or critically successful, but promotes it on each one
of their news outlets, magazines, TV channels or websites it now owns, making
it seem like the most popular movie of all time.
This wasn’t necessarily controversial. What was most
controversial, according to the film, was Disney’s ownership of news outlets.
Disney owns television stations in Chicago, Flint, Fresno, Toledo,
Philadelphia, New York City, Los Angeles, Houston and more. Disney also owns
countless radio stations including two in the DFW area.
A full list of what Disney owns can be seen here.
One potential problem with a corporation owning so many
other news companies and outlets is the potential for unbalanced reporting. It
would, for example, be easier for Disney to get away with or purposely not
report something that would put the company in a bad light.
“Mickey Mouse Monopoly” focused so much on the messages of
Disney films and how certain social or racial groups are portrayed because of
how impactful Disney is on kids. Disney’s impact now stretches further than
just children. Disney can potentially influence its news outlets and other
companies it now owns.
Source:
http://www.yearwithoutdisney.com/what-disney-owns/
Thanks, Hayden, for all the thoughts you shared about class. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts throughout the semester. I hope you keep in touch! GRADE: 95
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