I'm far more likely to skip a film from a company that shuts down anyone's free speech rights than the beliefs of an individual star. For example, I abhor the politics of Kelsey Grammar but I still like to Boss on Starz because he puts in an amazing performance.
Republicans (and politicians of all stripes) need to get it into their heads that the bill of rights trumps their money making opportunities every single time.
Reshared post from +Dan Gillmor
When a right-wing shareholder of Time Warner asked the CEO to muzzle anti-tea party comments from an actor, the CEO said, "What can we do about it? Not much."
The correct answer from a media executive should have been: "Have you ever heard of free speech, you jerk? I don't care how many shares you own."
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Dark Knight Rises imperilled by Morgan Freeman's politics, claims Time Warner shareholder
Conservative shareholder in media conglomerate demands there be no repeat of Freeman's anti-Tea Party remarks during publicity drive
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should trump their money making opportunities
must trump their money making opportunities
Reality bites that must and turns it into a should, many times
It's not about free speech. In essence, the shareholder and CEO are freeman's employer in this situation, and the shareholder has invested his capitol in the movie. The actor's comments may damage the ROI.
Freeman's obligation is to promote the movie (in which he is being compensated handsomely even before the shareholder sees a return) not to use the situation to engage in personal political opinions.
In the end all parties involved are the 1%-ers but one of them thinks they are a 99%er.
What I fail to find in all those articles is a reference to their visits to the show being due to a movie promotion. That's only implied.