The article on the GQ web site was a fierce critique of David Zaslav, evaluating the Warner Bros. Discovery chief government to the ruthless enterprise tycoon performed by Richard Gere in “Pretty Woman.”

Then, hours after the article went on-line on Monday, it disappeared with no rationalization. The article had been altered, after which deleted, after Warner Bros. Discovery raised an objection with the journal.

Publications typically amend or right articles after they’re printed. But it’s uncommon for mainstream news organizations like GQ to take away an article totally. And some GQ readers seen and voiced their considerations on social media.

In an announcement, GQ stated the article had not been correctly edited earlier than it was printed.

“After a revision was published, the writer of the piece asked to have their byline removed, at which point GQ decided to unpublish the piece in question,” the assertion stated. “GQ regrets the editorial error that led to a story being published before it was ready.”

GQ’s story was put in movement late final month, when an editor on the journal requested Jason Bailey, a freelancer, to write down an evaluation that defined why Mr. Zaslav was “the most hated man in Hollywood,” in keeping with two individuals with data of the project.

Mr. Zaslav took over the Hollywood powerhouse final yr, when Discovery merged with WarnerMedia, catapulting him to the best echelons of the media trade. (The Newhouse household, which owns GQ writer Condé Nast, additionally has a stake in Warner Bros. Discovery and has representatives on its board of administrators.)

In latest months, Mr. Zaslav has grow to be a goal of criticism in some Hollywood circles. Many of the complaints have centered on funds cuts and different adjustments he has introduced. Last month, the corporate laid off some prime executives at Turner Classic Movies, a transfer that was harshly criticized by a number of the trade’s prime expertise.

Mr. Zaslav has stated he was making tough choices to safeguard the long-term well being of the corporate in a tough enterprise atmosphere. Amid the furor over TCM, he requested the administrators Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Paul Thomas Anderson to advise the channel.

The ensuing article had the headline: “How Warner Bros. Discovery C.E.O. David Zaslav became public enemy number one in Hollywood.”

A spokesman for Warner Bros. Discovery quickly reached out to the journal to complain, mentioning that the corporate wasn’t contacted for touch upon the article, in keeping with the 2 individuals with data of the interactions. Soon after, Mr. Bailey heard from a senior editor at GQ, who requested him to revise the story.

Mr. Bailey declined to take part however gave the editor permission to make adjustments, in keeping with the 2 individuals with data of the interactions. When the revisions got here again, Mr. Bailey objected to the brand new model and stated that he wasn’t comfy together with his byline showing on the article. The revised model didn’t embrace the reference to “Pretty Woman,” amongst different adjustments.

GQ then determined to unpublish the article, the 2 individuals stated.

Mr. Bailey, who has additionally written for The New York Times, stated in an announcement that he objected to the notion that the story was not correctly edited.

“It went through a round of edits and I was assured by the top editor that I spoke to on the phone that there were no factual inaccuracies in the piece,” Mr. Bailey stated. “I had gone through edits and would have been happy to continue to participate in the editing process had it taken place before the publication of the piece.”