Journalists Diederik van Hoogstraten and Wenting Xu submitted a resignation letter, first obtained by The Los Angeles Times and later confirmed by EW, outlining the writers’ reasons for leaving the embattled organization.
But according to the pair’s letter, “The majority of the membership resists deep change, despite our lawyers and spokespersons suggesting otherwise publicly.
The journalists also alleged bullying went “unchecked and unpunished.” “The badgering of talent and publicists: ditto,” they added, further criticizing the organization for what they saw as issues with elections and “internal transparency” related to compensation for jobs within the organization – something the L.A.
“While some may have their own agendas, the Board and membership of the HFPA share one, common goal – passing the transformational change our organization needs,” the statement read.
“After the news broke, we have got tremendous support from publicists and journalists from around the world which includes a Native American reporter.
“However, change of this magnitude takes time and work, and we feel strongly that the HFPA needs time to do it right.
“Unless there is necessary fundamental reform within the organization, I believe it is time that we take a step back from the HFPA and focus on the importance and strength of unity within our unions and the industry as a whole,” her statement to EW in May read.