HFPA presents plans to implement ‘transformational change’ – Deadline

UPDATE 6:54 p.m .: Literally minutes after the HFPA announced more details of its plans to be a more diverse and inclusive organization, Time’s Up responded, “The right words are not enough. The clock is turning. “

In a statement released Saturday night, Time’s Up CEO Tina Tchen lambasted the HFPA in a case of too little too late:

“So NBCUniversal, Dick Clark Productions and the HFPA have just declared that they have a plan to solve the problems they have ignored for decades. We’re not so sure. On behalf of the many artists who rely on us to keep the HFPA’s feet under fire from racism, disrespect, misogyny, and the Golden Globes’ alleged corrupt financial dealings, we have to see specific details, timelines of change and firm commitments. . The right words are not enough. The clock is turning. “

According to sources, Time’s Up spoke to executives at Golden Globes broadcaster NBC earlier this week about the controversy that the HFPA lacks black limbs in its body.

The activist organization has strongly suggested that the Comcast-owned network use its influence over the HFPA in an attempt to open the organization to a more diverse membership, Deadline has learned.

#TIMESUPGLOBES pic.twitter.com/ELfDFwMUVQ

– TIME IS UP TO (@TIMESUPNOW) March 7, 2021

PREVIOUS 6:49 PM: Almost a week after the controversial 78th annual Golden Globe Awards, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association tonight offered more details on its plans to be more inclusive and finally include black members in its ranks.

“Hire an independent expert in organizational diversity, equity and inclusion to advise and guide us. Among other important tasks, this expert will check our statutes and membership requirements to help us guard against any exclusionary practice and achieve a more diverse membership, ”the HFPA wrote in a statement posted on all of its media platforms. social media.

In addition to hiring an “independent expert” and presenting its outreach plans, the HFPA added that it would also hire, like a typical Hollywood company, a third-party law firm to “review the policies of the HFPA to ensure we are aligned with and surpassing the industry. best practices in critical areas. “By working with the law firm, the HFPA seeks to implement” a robust process “in which all members can report violations of ethical standards or the code of conduct with” the certainty that it will be dealt with. a thorough and fair investigation ”.

The HFPA’s latest announcement comes nearly a week after its 78th annual Golden Globes, where organizational controversy and lack of diversity have taken center stage. Just days before the annual awards ceremony, Time’s Up and a number of Hollywood figures ranging from Ellen Pompeo to Ava DuVernay slammed the HFPA after a Los Angeles Times briefing revealed that the entity of the The sector had no black journalists among its 87 current members.

During last week’s ceremony, HFPA members took the stage to briefly address the controversy, noting only that “representation of black people is vital” and that they are working to make membership diversity “the most important.” standard”. After the show, Time’s Up doubled down on its HFPA criticism in an open letter calling the body’s proposed diversification goals “cosmetics”.

“At Time’s Up, we are ready to work for real change. The globes are no longer golden. It is time to act, ”said the letter.

The Critics Choice Association and the Television Academy have since touted the diversity of their members and nominees, as well as their in-depth D&I efforts, respectively.

“These are the first steps we will take over the next 60 days and we will take further action based on the recommendations from these initial reviews and assessments,” the statement continued. “We are committed to achieving these goals in order to increase transparency in our organization and build a more inclusive community.