Hollywood Foreign Press Association board proposes reforms amid diversity backlash, threatens to resign if not approved by members

Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the administering body of the Golden Globes Awards, has introduced changes to increase the representation of Black members and people of colour. In a statement written by the HFPA board, the association said that they have worked hard to bring a plan of action for the past 60 days. Stating that they have engaged in deep introspection with the help of experts in diversity and inclusion, their media partners, and advisors, HFPA Board shared that they have created a roadmap for the transformational changes. The statement further said that if members of HFPA do not approve of the new move in a timely fashion then there could be serious consequences. The board has proposed the addition of at least 20 new members in 2021 focusing on adding Black members. The board proposed that membership should be opened to journalists beyond print media. So far, new members used to join the association after being sponsored by an existing member. The HFPA board has proposed to remove this condition and also remove restrictions on people admitted every year. It has reaffirmed that there should be no restriction on the number of adding HFPA members from each territory. Additionally, the HFPA members can not accept promotion items and should have a structure of press conference procedures. There will also be a “revision of membership eligibility and reaccreditation criteria”. Lastly, by 1 September, as per the board’s proposal, the association is supposed to hire professional management staff. The association was under fire after the 78th Golden Globe Awards as it was accused of lack of diversity as the 87-member HFPA had no black members. The public representatives of Hollywood A-listers wrote an open letter to HFPA, warning them to bring in reforms and threatening to boycott Golden Globe Awards if diversity concerns are not addressed. HFPA was asked to introduce changes before 6 May.