Golden Globes group floats changes to address diversity, ethics complaints
By Lisa Richwine
Reuters
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The board of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the group that hands out the annual Golden Globe awards for television and film, proposed several changes on Monday to address criticism over its membership s diversity and ethics.
In a letter to members, the HFPA board suggested several steps to diversify its roster, including hiring a chief diversity officer, putting emphasis on recruiting Black journalists and widening the pool of potential applicants.
The board also proposed adding at least 20 new members in 2021 and boosting its ranks by 50% over the next 18 months. The changes must be approved by current members and will be discussed at the group s next meeting, the letter said.
Golden Globes Organization Hiring Chief Diversity Officer to Address Lack of Black Members
NBC
3 May 2021
The organization behind the annual Golden Globes Awards show is hiring a chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer to address a public relations crisis stemming from the revelation that the group has no black people in its voting membership.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association also said it would clean up some of its business practices by putting restrictions on gifts members receive from studios. In the past, members regularly accepted overseas junket trips and other studio freebies that were commonly viewed within the industry as bribes for votes.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, whose Golden Globes are a golden goose for the nonprofit, unveiled a slate of proposed reforms on Monday designed to increase diversity within its ranks and limit the perks and payments its voters can receive from entertainment companies trying to get their projects noticed.
Golden Globes group vows new changes to address diversity issue amid HFPA controversy
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Last Updated: May 04, 2021, 10:46 AM IST
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Reuters
The moves follow an investigation published in February by the Los Angeles Times that noted there were no Black people among the 87-member group of foreign entertainment journalists who make up the HFPA.
LOS ANGELES: The board of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the group that hands out the annual Golden Globe awards for television and film, proposed several changes on Monday to address criticism over its membership s diversity and ethics.
In a letter to members, the HFPA board suggested several steps to diversify its roster, including hiring a chief diversity officer, putting emphasis on recruiting Black journalists and widening the pool of potential applicants.
Image via Getty/VALERIE MACON/AFP
Board members for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the group behind the Golden Globes, have vowed to make significant changes which will address the critical issues that have come to the forefront in recent months,
Variety has learned.
The HFPA plans on admitting 20 new members this year, with a goal of increasing membership by 50 percent over the next 18 months. The organization, which has just 87 members, hopes to include people from “underrepresented groups,” however, its primary focus is on recruiting Black members since the total currently sits at zero.
The organization plans on setting a Sept. 1 deadline on its efforts to retain a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) consultant, and develop a “comprehensive” DEI strategy, in addition to a chief human resources officer and chief DEI officer.