Disney has backed down from a ban on The Los Angeles Times from its movie screenings following a significant backlash from critics' groups.
The media giant had blacklisted the newspaper over a story it published in September, but has now cancelled the ban - however, an apology hasn't been offered.
"We've had productive discussions with the newly installed leadership at The Los Angeles Times regarding our specific concerns," a Disney spokesperson said in a statement.
"And as a result, we've agreed to restore access to advance screenings for their film critics."
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The Los Angeles Times was deemed punitive action for a three-part story detailing Disney's business relationship with the Californian city of Anaheim, where Disneyland is located.
The publication was denied entry to media screenings of Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok and other upcoming Disney films, including Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Critics called the company's actions "antithetical to the principles of a free press and set a dangerous precedent in a time of already heightened hostility toward journalists."
The company was facing all of its films being disqualified from awards consideration by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the New York Film Critics Circle, the Boston Society of Film Critics, The Toronto Film Critics Association and the National Society of Film Critics.
In addition, several critics and outlets - including The New York Times, the AV Club, Flavorwire and The Washington Post's Alyssa Rosenberg - stated they'd not attend media screenings for Disney movies as a show of solidarity with The Los Angeles Times.
Newshub.
