Warner Bros. Discovery
Corprate Bias Ratings
Risk Level:
Summary:
Warner Bros. Discovery (the result of a 2022 merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery) vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies and does not provide its employees with protections against viewpoint discrimination. However, the company has not publicly terminated business relationships due to views or beliefs. Warner Bros. Discovery provides reimbursement for employees' abortion-related travel and opposes state laws designed to protect the integrity of women's sports. For these reasons, Warner Bros. Discovery receives a Medium Risk rating.
Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.
Warner Bros. Discovery (then Discovery) received a score of 90 on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign. Among other requirements, this means the company has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies (1). However, the company has not publicly terminated business relationships due to views or beliefs.
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Warner Bros. Discovery does not not have a rule discriminating against religious organizations in its charitable giving (1).
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
Warner Bros. Discovery does not provide protections against viewpoint discrimination (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
Warner Bros. Discovery (then WarnerMedia) signed an open letter condemning “anti-LGBTQ” state laws, including laws intended to protect the integrity of women’s sports (1). CEO David Zaslav is a member of the Business Roundtable (2). In partnership with the RFK Human Rights organization, Discovery Education promoted a 15 year old student who is an “ambassador for the Human Rights Council” (3)(4). Discovery Education also has material that instructs Year 5 students on “identity” (5).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
Warner Bros. Discovery has pledged to provide coverage for employees’ abortion-related travel expenses (1). In 2020, Warner Bros. Discovery signed a deal with Black Lives Matter founder Patrisse Cullors sponsoring her to make digital content for the network (2)(3). However, no content was ever released, and in 2023 Ms. Cullors was quietly let go (4).
Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.
Warner Bros. Discovery does not have an active PAC.
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
August 11, 2023
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Voting History
| Date | ESG Category | Proponent | Summary of Resolution | Mgmt Rec | Total Vote % in Favor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/8/23 | Governance | Kenneth Steiner | Simple Majority Vote | Against | 43.00% |