ABC/Disney CEO Grilled by Shareholder Over Media Bias: 'Start Playing It Straight With the American People

Robert A. "Bob" Iger (Credit: AP)

Disney CEO Bob Iger was asked about a number of issues at the Walt Disney Co. annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday, perhaps most notably about media bias at ABC News and ESPN.

During the general Q&A, a shareholder complained about political bias at ABC and ESPN. He cited two specific incidents at the networks, including when ABC's Brian Ross wrongly asserted that the Aurora shooter James Holmes might be a member of the Tea Party and when ESPN commentator Rob Parker asked if Robert Griffin III was a "cornball brother" for having a white fiancé.

"I'm just asking you to start playing it straight with the American people," the shareholder said, according to the Hollywood Reporter. "Stop the bias and return to an era of objectivity and honesty in the news. The American people will thank you for it."

Surprisingly, Iger did admit that the company has made mistakes in its reporting, though he didn't get into specifics.

"We have, at times, either presented the news in a slightly inaccurate way or in ways we weren't necessarily proud of," he said. "[B]ut I firmly stand behind our news organizations because I believe that overall the job that they do is one that is worthy of respect."