Golden Globes & HFPA in Crisis: The Full Story

Golden Globes & HFPA in Crisis: The Full Story

NBC Will Not Air the 2022 Golden Globes Ceremony

Following the widespread criticism of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, NBC has dropped the 2022 Golden Globes from their schedule. The Globes are Hollywood’s second-biggest awards show, behind the Oscars. 

NBCUniversal released a statement on the 10th May 2021:

“We continue to believe that the HFPA is committed to meaningful reform. However, change of this magnitude takes time and work, and we feel strongly that the HFPA needs time to do it right. As such, NBC will not air the 2022 Golden Globes. Assuming the organization executes on its plan, we are hopeful we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023.”

This major decision comes after months of criticism of the HFPA for a lack of diversity among its members. This was highlighted by A-listers and key figures in the industry shortly before this year’s ceremony in February. It was revealed that the HFPA had no Black members. NBC reportedly pays the HFPA $60 million a year to broadcast the show.

Cruise Returns His Golden Globe Awards & Studios Speak Out

Tom Cruise has reportedly returned his Golden Globe Awards, to join a protest against the HFPA, raising concerns about the Globes’ organisers. Cruise has won 3 Golden Globes over the years, including a Best Actor win for his role in Jerry Maguire. Scarlett Johannson also spoke out, urging Studios to distance themselves from the organisation. Netflix, Amazon and WarnerMedia have all publically spoken out against the HFPA over its lack of swift action to reform its diversity. 

HFPA Responds To NBC’s Withdrawl

In response to the ongoing criticism, the HFPA released a statement with a timeline with bullet points of specific agenda items and goals.

See the HFPA’s statement below:

“Regardless of the next air date of the Golden Globes, implementing transformational changes as quickly — and as thoughtfully — as possible remains the top priority for our organization.

We invite our partners in the industry to the table to work with us on the systemic reform that is long overdue, both in our organization as well as within the industry at large.

Our below timeline demonstrates our commitment to achieving these goals with extreme urgency:

HFPA – Reform Milestones

Week of May 3

• Members meet, consider, and overwhelmingly vote to approve and implement the Board’s plan for transformational change
• Board continues to meet with advocacy groups to develop initiatives to fulfill the HFPA’s commitment to add at least 20 new members by August 2021 and increase membership by 50% in 18 months
• Eradicating the new member one year moratorium on voting; All new members will have all voting rights day 1.
• Board and members approve hiring of Ropes & Gray to amend and restate Bylaws and other governing documents to implement member-approved plan for transformational change

Weeks of May 10 and 17

• Revise and approve new Code of conduct in consultation with Publicists and studios
• Continue outreach to potential new member candidates
• Publish Code of Conduct and establish Hotline for reporting of violations
• Engage independent third party investigator to review and respond promptly to all Hotline claims
• Interview candidates and engage new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) consultant
• Identify and recruit independent, outside professionals and non-Board members and form Accountability/Oversight Board (“Advisory Board”) to oversee HFPA Board in implementing plan for transformational change
• Interview Executive Search Firms to commence search for Chief DEI/HR Officer and identification of potential CEO/CFO and other executives to lead HFPA
• HFPA website to be continuously updated to show progress against plan and to list promised Member information (biographies, publications, affiliations, etc.)

Weeks of May 24 and 31

• New DEI Consultant and other outside experts conduct mandatory member trainings for DEI and sexual harassment
• Board and Advisory Board continue work on identification of applicants to fulfill commitment to add at least 20 new members by August 2021
• Grants Officer and subcommittee of members continue work to increase support of internship, mentorship, and scholarship programs for students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in international journalism
• Identify and recruit independent, outside professionals for new Credentials Committee, which will oversee new membership application process and reaccreditation of current members based on same criteria as new members
• Continue review of committee structure / compensation
• First reading of Bylaw Amendments at General Membership Meeting (“GMM”)

Weeks of June 7, 14, and 21

• Focus groups with members, Advisory Board, and Ropes & Gray to review amendments to Bylaws and other governing documents
• Board assesses and evaluates recommendations of Executive Search Firm for new Executive Officer team
• Form new Credentials Committee
• All above work streams on trainings, mentorship, and recruitment continue

Week of June 28

• Second reading of Bylaw Amendments at GMM
• Ballots for voting on Bylaw Amendments mailed to members
• Implement new policies on Gifts, Travel, Conflicts of Interest, and Press Conferences

Week of July 5

• Members vote on Bylaw Amendments by ballot

Weeks of 12 and 19

• Approved Bylaw Amendments become effective
• New Officer and Board elections under amended and restated Bylaws
• New membership process opens per new criteria enacted in amended and restated Bylaws
• All existing members required to meet same standards as new members for reaccreditation of their membership

Week of July 26

• New member process continues
• Reaccreditation continues

Week of August 2

• New members admitted to HFPA
• New Board elected, including independent members, in accordance with amended and restated Bylaws
• New CEO/CFO and other Executive Team approved and engaged to manage HFPA
• Existing Board and Officers resign upon election of New Board and hiring of Executive Team”