A plan launched by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to improve diversity in its membership and bolster the credibility of its Golden Globes awards has been met with scepticism by Time’s Up, one of the film industry’s leading activist organisations.
The HFPA released a statement on social media on Sunday announcing “transformational change”, in the wake of stinging criticism before and during the 2021 edition of the Golden Globes a week ago. The organisation pledged to appoint an “expert in organisational diversity, equity and inclusion”, to add “Black and other underrepresented professionals to [the] organisation”, and to improve “transparency” over its voting and membership processes.
However, Time’s Up responded immediately, accusing the HFPA of having dragged their feet “for decades”, and questioning the organisation’s commitment. In a statement on social media, Time’s Up said: “On behalf of the many artists who look to us to hold the HFPA’s feet to the fire on the racism, disrespect, misogyny, and alleged corrupt financial dealings of the Golden Globes, we need to see specific details, timetables for change, and firm commitments. The right words are not enough.”
According to Deadline, Time’s Up has applied pressure on NBC, the source of the HFPA’s main revenue stream via lucrative payments for broadcasting the Golden Globes, to ensure significant changes take place.