WGA West Urges Government Regulation of Disney, Amazon & Netflix’s “Anti-Competitive Practices”

The WGA West has fired a warning shot at media giants Disney, Amazon, and Netflix in its ongoing negotiations to end the strike. In a report titled “The New Gatekeepers: How Disney, Amazon, and Netflix Will Take Over Media,” the guild calls for increased government regulation to combat what it sees as “anti-competitive practices.” According to the report, these conglomerates are abusing their dominance to disadvantage competitors, raise prices for consumers, and lower wages for creative workers. The guild warns that without intervention, these companies will seize control of the media landscape, stifling creativity and limiting choice. The report highlights Disney’s acquisitions and control over the labor market, Amazon’s anticompetitive behavior and underpayment of writers, and Netflix’s abuse of its position as the largest streaming service. The guild argues that streaming, as the dominant distribution platform, needs regulation to prevent further consolidation and erosion of writing work. To protect the future of media, the guild calls for action from antitrust agencies and lawmakers. Read the full report here.