The Hollywood Foreign Press Association said Tuesday it has suspended former president Phil Berk from his membership roles.
“Effective immediately, Phil Berk is no longer a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association,” the HFPA board said in a statement just released.
NBC and the parent company of the Golden Globes producers have already weighed in on the latest embarrassing incident with the HFPA today. This is the bizarre email from Berk, a longtime member and former president, to Sunday membership referring to Black Lives Matters as a “racist hate movement.” The email has leaked to it Los Angeles Times.
The HFPA, already embroiled in controversy amid revelations during the most recent Golden Globes cycle that it hasn’t had a Black member in 20 years, distanced itself Monday night from the email Berk sent.
“Since its inception, the HFPA has been committed to bridging cultural connections and creating greater understanding of different backgrounds through film and TV,” he said. “The views expressed in Mr. Birch distributed articles are those of the author of the article and in no way reflect the views and values of the HFPA. The HFPA condemns all forms of racism, discrimination and hate speech and finds such language and content unacceptable. “
The group has already said it will unveil plans to address the issues on May 6.
South African-born Berk, a long-time member of the HFPA, has served eight terms as president of the group, based in LA and working for entertainment publications in Malaysia and South Africa.