Walt Disney

ESPN, 21st Century Fox, Hulu, Marvel, Pixar, Lucasfilm, National Geographic, American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
Burbank, California
Media and Entertainment

Corporate Bias Rating

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Risk Level:

Rating - Danger
High Risk

Summary:

The Walt Disney Company has fired employees, including celebrities, according to political views. Disney also threatened to move business out of Georgia if the governor signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 2016. America First Legal filed a letter with the EEOC requesting a civil rights investigation into Disney over discriminatory practices in its hiring and leadership composition. The Walt Disney Company scored a 100 out of 100 on the 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. By complying with the HRC's controversial demands, Walt Disney increases the risk of dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders. It also uses sex and gender ideology criteria in employee recruitment, vendor selection, marketing, and philanthropic support. Walt Disney forces employees to undergo multiple ideological trainings. The company provides a benefits package for employees which covers travel/lodging costs for an abortion and transgender medical procedures for covered employees and dependents, including children. Walt Disney is part of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, which aims to demonetize advertisements and suppress content that vilifies individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity, discusses "debated social issues in a negative or partisan context" or spreads "hate speech". The company regularly uses its reputation and corporate funds to push gender ideology and LGBTQ organizations, including a $5 million donation to the HRC. Disney is also a platinum sponsor of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a titanium sponsor of Out & Equal, and a silver partner of PFLAG. Disney leveraged its vast resources to fight the state policies of Florida and has opposed various state and local legislation intended to protect parental rights, girls' sports, bathroom facilities, and gendered spaces. For these reasons, The Walt Disney Company receives a High Risk rating.

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Board Bias

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CEO of Walt Disney

Robert A. Iger

Robert A. Iger

Summary:

Headquartered in Burbank, California, Walt Disney is a member of the Fortune 250 operating in the Media and Entertainment industry. Robert A. Iger and Mark G. Parker serve as CEO/President and Chairman, respectively, leading the company’s C-suite executive team and the board of directors. Amongst these teams, the collective leadership is responsible for $908,840 to Republican causes and $2,832,319 to Democratic causes. Under their tenure, Walt Disney currently holds a 'High Risk' risk rating.

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Political Contributions of Leadership:

$908,840

$2,832,319

Republican

Democrat

Shareholder Proposals

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Date
ESG Category
Proponent
Summary of ResolutionMgmt RecTotal Vote % in Favor
4/3/24SocialNational Legal and Policy CenterReport on Gender Transitioning Compensation and BenefitsAgainst2.32%
4/3/24SocialThe Educational Foundation of AmericaReport on Political ExpendituresAgainst24.78%
4/3/24GovernanceJohn CheveddenShareholder Ratification of Termination PayAgainst7.76%
4/3/24GovernanceNational Legal and Policy CenterPublication of Charitable ContributionsAgainst4.26%
4/3/23GovernanceEducational Foundation of AmericaRequest for Political Expenditures ReportAgainst36.20%
4/3/23GovernanceThomas StrobharRequest for Disclosure of Charitable Contributions over $10,000Against7.40%
4/3/23SocialNational Legal and Policy CenterCommunist China AuditAgainst7.10%
3/9/22SocialAnne ButterfieldReport on Gender/Racial Pay GapAgainst59.12%
3/9/22GovernanceKenneth SteinerSpecial Meetings - Reduce Ownership Req. to 10%Against39.40%
3/9/22SocialNational Legal and Policy CenterHuman Rights Due Diligence ReportAgainst34.93%
3/9/22SocialMercy Investment ServicesReport on Lobbying Payments and PolicyAgainst32.58%
3/9/22SocialNational Center for Public Policy ResearchReport on Workplace Non-Discrimination AuditAgainst2.63%
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