Arts & Entertainment

Hollywood Foreign Press Association announces reforms after controversies

Los Angeles, US, May 6 (EFE).- The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which annually awards the Golden Globes, voted for sweeping reforms Thursday to address controversies over ethics and a lack of diversity.

In a vote that was only rejected by three of its 86 members, the organization of US-based international journalists promised to incorporate 20 newcomers in 2021, with “a specific focus on recruiting Black members” as there are currently none in its ranks

In addition, the HFPA will increase the number of members by 50 percent in the next 18 months, will expand eligibility criteria and issue a new code of conduct.

Members have been accused in the past of accepting gifts, money, travel and other perks from Hollywood studios, whose work it then votes on.

“Today’s vote reaffirms our commitment to change. We have already taken some action that will allow us to make swift progress. Because we understand the urgency and issue of transparency, we will be continuously updating the members and the public as we move forward in making our organization more inclusive and diverse,” the organization said in a statement Thursday.

A day before this year’s Golden Globes gala, the Time’s Up coalition, which on other occasions has denounced discrimination and abuse in the world of cinema, denounced the lack of diversity in the organization.

The letter was endorsed by Hollywood heavyweights such as J.J. Abrams (“Star Wars”), Amy Schumer and Kerry Washington.

In addition, the Los Angeles Times in February published an expose into the ethics and demographics of the group in charge of voting for the awards since 1943, and which has become one of the most criticized institutions in the film industry. EFE

romu/tw

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