- Disney is changing its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies by softening content warnings on classic films and shifting internal initiatives. The updated warnings now state, “This program is presented as originally created and may contain stereotypes or negative depictions.”
- Disney is phasing out its “Reimagine Tomorrow” initiative, redirecting it to the inclusion page, and changing executive performance evaluations from “diversity and inclusion” to “talent strategy.”
- These changes follow a trend of companies scaling back DEI programs. Disney pulled a transgender storyline from an upcoming Pixar series and addressed the shift in a memo emphasizing its core values.
Full Story
Disney is changing its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. The company has softened content warnings on classic films and shifted its internal initiatives.
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Content advisories updated
The company has revised auto-play content disclaimers for some of its older movies.
In 2020, Disney updated its warnings to say, ”[This movie] includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of peoples or cultures.” Movies like “Dumbo” had this disclaimer due to racist portrayals in the 1940s film.
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However, according to Axios, the updated warning now states, “This program is presented as originally created and may contain stereotypes or negative depictions.”
Internal DEI programs change
Disney is also phasing out its “Reimagine Tomorrow” initiative. Launched in 2022, the program aimed to amplify underrepresented voices.
Now, the initiative’s website redirects to Disney’s inclusion page, which outlines other company-led diversity efforts.
Performance evaluation shifts
The company is also changing how executives are evaluated on diversity efforts.
According to Axios, an internal email stated that leaders will now be graded on “talent strategy” instead of “diversity and inclusion.” This new metric assesses how well executives uphold company values while driving business success.
DEI rollback follows previous decisions
These changes come after a December report revealed that Disney pulled a transgender storyline from an upcoming Pixar series.
Disney statement on DEI changes
Disney addressed the shift in a memo sent to employees. According to Variety, the company wrote in part:
“Creating a welcoming and respectful environment for our employees and guests is core to our company culture and our business. Our values — integrity, creativity, collaboration, community, inclusion — guide our actions and how we treat each other.”
The bigger picture
Disney’s adjustments reflect a larger trend of companies scaling back DEI programs. As political and cultural shifts continue, the entertainment industry’s commitment to diversity remains under scrutiny.
[KENNEDY FELTON]
Disney is the latest major company to scale back its diversity initiatives, including softening content warnings on classic films like Dumbo and Peter Pan.
This move comes as corporations across the country adjust their DEI policies in response to shifting political and social changes under the Trump administration. Sources familiar with the matter tell Axios that a company-wide memo was sent to employees Tuesday, outlining changes to Disney’s DEI programs, shifting the focus toward business outcomes.
Auto-play content disclaimers that run before certain movies are being revised. Back in 2020, Disney updated its warnings to state, “[This movie] includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of peoples or cultures.” Dumbo was among the films flagged, as the 1940s movie was found to feature racist caricatures.
The updated disclaimer now reads, “This program is presented as originally created and may contain stereotypes or negative depictions.”
Disney is also phasing out its “Reimagine Tomorrow” program, a diversity initiative launched in 2022 to amplify underrepresented voices. The program and its associated website now redirect to Disney’s inclusion page, which outlines various company initiatives.
In another shift, Disney is changing how executive performance is evaluated. According to Axios, the memo revealed that executives will now be graded on “talent strategy” instead of “diversity and inclusion.” This new metric focuses on how leaders incorporate company values to drive business success.
These changes come after a story we reported on last December, when Disney pulled a transgender storyline from an upcoming Pixar series.
According to Variety, Tuesday’s memo to employees reads in part: “Creating a welcoming and respectful environment for our employees and guests is core to our company culture and our business. Our values — integrity, creativity, collaboration, community, inclusion — guide our actions and how we treat each other.”
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See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this data
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