In a move signaling a strategic shift within the entertainment giant, Disney has modified the content warnings on classic films streamed on Disney+, according to sources close to the matter. This change is part of a broader reevaluation of Disney’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), prompted by increased scrutiny from the federal government under the Trump administration.
Softening the Language of Content Warnings
Originally, films like Dumbo, The Aristocats, and Peter Pan carried warnings that they contained “negative depictions and/or mistreatment of peoples or cultures.” Now, Disney+ has updated this phrasing to state that the programs are “presented as originally created and may contain stereotypes or negative depictions.” This subtler language marks a return to a less assertive tone similar to that used when Disney+ was launched in 2019.
Strategic Changes in DEI Initiatives
The changes in content warnings coincide with adjustments in Disney’s broader DEI strategy. An SEC filing on February 11 omitted any mention of the “Reimagine Tomorrow” initiative, a program introduced in 2021 aimed at elevating underrepresented groups and racial minorities. However, Disney continues to promote its “Heroes Work Here” program, which focuses on veteran employment.
Sonia Coleman, Disney’s Chief Human Resources Officer, revealed further shifts in a memo to leadership, detailing new measures to assess executive compensation linked to DEI objectives. The introduction of a “Talent Strategy” factor is set to replace the earlier Diversity & Inclusion focus within their “Other Performance Factors (OPFs)” for executive reviews. This factor is designed to evaluate how well leaders uphold company values, embrace diverse perspectives to foster business success, and maintain a workplace where all employees can prosper.
Reaction and Implications
The alterations in Disney’s approach to DEI are indicative of the broader cultural and political pressures the company faces, particularly from conservative figures like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and policies from the Trump administration targeting trans individuals and other minority groups. The public discourse around these issues was further fueled by controversies such as Disney’s removal of a transgender storyline from the Pixar series Win or Lose and debates over character portrayal in Inside Out 2.
Disney’s DEI policy changes have sparked a mixture of responses, with some viewing these moves as a retreat from progressive values under political and social pressure, while others see it as a necessary adjustment to focus on broader, more inclusive strategies that address a wider array of business and societal goals.