Los Angeles, California – The Golden Globes organization has made a significant decision to discontinue the practice of paying a $75,000 annual salary to former Hollywood Foreign Press Association members who participate in voting for the organization’s yearly film and TV awards. This move comes amidst a shift in ownership and operational structure for the prestigious awards ceremony.
The shift in policy regarding compensation for voting members was announced by Globes president Helen Hoehne during a recent virtual meeting. Previously, under the ownership of Penske Media Eldridge, a contract was established in 2023 which included a $75,000 annual salary for certain voting members who had transitioned from the HFPA to the newly rebranded Golden Globes organization.
In recent years, the Golden Globes have faced criticism for its lack of diversity and transparency within its membership. In response to mounting scrutiny, the organization has undergone significant changes, transitioning from a nonprofit entity to a for-profit enterprise under the ownership of Penske Media Corporation. This overhaul has included expanding the pool of voters from less than 100 to roughly 300, many of whom do not receive compensation for their participation.
As part of the ongoing transformation of the awards ceremony, some former HFPA members were retained under a five-year contract initiated in 2023. However, the decision to cease paying these members aligns with the pro bono practices observed by other major awards events like the Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys, which do not provide financial compensation to their voting members.
In response to the shift in policy, impacted voting members will be offered a severance package of $102,500 and will have the opportunity to reapply for accreditation on an annual basis. A spokesperson for the Golden Globes explained that this decision was made to address concerns regarding potential biases in voting and emphasized that the organization is fulfilling its contractual obligations by providing the severance package.
This decision by the Golden Globes organization represents a significant step towards enhancing transparency and equity within the prestigious awards ceremony. The move towards pro bono voting practices aligns the Golden Globes with other major industry events and underscores a commitment to fostering a fair and unbiased selection process for nominees and winners.