GQ Magazine Removes Critical Article on David Zaslav Following Complaint

GQ Magazine Removes Critical Article on Media Executive David Zaslav Following Complaint

In a surprising move, GQ magazine took down an article that criticized powerful media executive David Zaslav from its website just hours after it was published on Monday. The removal came after a complaint from Zaslav’s camp, highlighting the influence and power of the media executive.

The article, written by freelance film critic Jason Bailey, heavily criticized Zaslav’s handling of Warner Bros. Discovery’s entertainment properties. Bailey specifically pointed out perceived offenses against film, such as the layoffs at the Turner Classic Movies channel that outraged prominent directors and superfans, as well as Zaslav’s decision to withhold the release of finished movies like “Batgirl” for tax purposes. Bailey even compared Zaslav to the tyrannical character Logan Roy from the TV show “Succession.”

The complaint from Zaslav’s spokesperson prompted GQ to make extensive edits to the article. Archived versions of the original and edited versions show significant changes that softened the tone of the piece. The edited version removed lines calling Zaslav “the most hated man in Hollywood” and the “Succession” comparison. It also eliminated a segment where Bailey referred to the reality shows overseen by Zaslav as “reality slop.”

The final paragraphs of the original article compared Zaslav to the pitiless businessman played by Richard Gere in “Pretty Woman,” stating that the executive is “only good at breaking things.” However, the edited version removed the “Pretty Woman” reference and simply mentioned that film aficionados’ complaints have “gotten personal.”

Bailey, unhappy with the changes made by GQ, requested that his byline be removed. GQ informed him that they would not keep an article on their website without the author’s name, leading to the complete removal of the article from the site.

A GQ spokeswoman stated that the article “was not properly edited before going live” and that the writer requested the removal of their byline, prompting GQ to unpublish the piece. The spokeswoman expressed regret for the editorial error that led to the premature publication of the story.

Warner Bros. Discovery, Zaslav’s company, complained to GQ about the article, citing the lack of fact-checking and failure to reach out for comment before publishing. They requested numerous inaccuracies to be corrected, leading to the editors ultimately deciding to pull the piece.

Bailey confirmed that he did not seek comment from Warner Bros. Discovery for the article but disputed the claim of numerous inaccuracies. He stated that his editors at GQ never informed him of any inaccuracies, and the edited version of the article did not include a correction.

The removal of the article and the subsequent edits sparked outrage among top film critics. Writer Scott Tobias called the edited version “completely unacceptable,” while critic Matt Zoller Seitz shared the archived version of Bailey’s original article. Critic Hunter Harris used a screenshot from HBO’s “The Wire” to illustrate the controversy, where a character describes a rival operation as “very sloppy.”

This incident adds to the ongoing controversies surrounding Zaslav, who has faced criticism for overseeing cuts at Warner Bros. Discovery as the company works to pay off nearly $50 billion in debt. The company’s stock price has also plummeted since the merger between Discovery and WarnerMedia in April 2022.

Zaslav has also encountered challenges in managing CNN, one of Warner Bros. Discovery’s prominent cable properties. He fired his handpicked CEO, Chris Licht, in June after months of management turmoil at the news giant, culminating in Licht’s ill-advised participation in a profile in the Atlantic that suggested he was out of his depth.

Note: This article has been updated.

What does the controversy surrounding GQ’s decision to remove the article on David Zaslav reveal about the challenges faced by journalists in reporting on powerful individuals

Ng live on our website, and did not meet our editorial standards.” She also mentioned that GQ stands by their decision to remove the article.

The removal of the critical article on David Zaslav has sparked controversy and raised questions about the influence of powerful individuals in the media industry. Critics argue that this incident highlights the power disparity between media executives and journalists, as well as the potential for censorship and self-censorship when it comes to reporting on influential figures.

Some argue that GQ’s decision to remove the article shows a lack of editorial independence and bowing down to pressure from Zaslav’s camp. It raises concerns about the freedom of the press and the ability of journalists to hold powerful individuals accountable.

Others, however, defend GQ’s decision, pointing out that editing or removing articles is a common practice in journalism when factual errors or editorial issues arise. They argue that it is the responsibility of editors to ensure the quality and accuracy of the content published on their platforms.

Regardless of the differing opinions, this incident serves as a reminder of the challenges journalists and media organizations face when reporting on powerful individuals and corporations. It also raises important questions about the role of journalism in holding the powerful accountable and the potential consequences for doing so.