The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the body that organises and votes on the Golden Globe awards, has been accused of “ethical lapses” and of failing to maintain a sufficiently diverse membership.

An investigation by the LA Times claims that the nonprofit body paid members large sums, nearly $2m in total, for tasks such as serving on committees and watching films and that many of its members have only tenuous careers as journalists.

Responding to the LA Times, the HFPA said: “Our compensation decisions are based on an evaluation of compensation practices by similar nonprofit organisations and market rates for such services.”

An HFPA representative said the suggestion that many of their members are not serious journalists is “outdated and unfair”, and that the organisation has “a robust admissions and reaccreditation process” and that its members “write for some of the most reputable publications in the world.”

The HFPA is infamously erratic in its award-making process, with claims that voters are happy to accept “hospitality” in the form of gifts and in-person events with industry stars. The 2021 edition of the Golden Globes has sparked controversy by excluding Michaela Coel’s acclaimed series I May Destroy You, as well as including Sia’s controversial feature film Music, which has been accused of misrepresenting autistic people.

A recent anti-trust suit against the HFPA, brought by Norwegian journalist Kjersti Flaa who was refused membership, was dismissed.

According to the LA Times, while the 87-strong HFPA’s ranks include a number of people of colour, there are no black members. A representative of the group says the HFPA is aware of the issue and is “committed to addressing” it. The representative also said that the perception that many members are not serious journalists is “outdated and unfair”, adding that the organisation has “a robust admissions and reaccreditation process” and that its members “write for some of the most reputable publications in the world.”

While the HFPA’s ranks include a number of people of colour, there are no Black members, a fact a representative says the group is aware of and is “committed to addressing.”

The HFPA’s principal revenue is derived from the televised Golden Globes awards show, which in 2020 saw it receive over $27m from NBC. Since its inception in 1944, the Globes have been courted by Hollywood publicists keen to improve their films’ chances at the Oscars. Past scandals include the selection of Pia Zadora as new star of the year in 1982 after a lavish campaign funded by her then husband, casino owner Meshulam Riklis, and the gift of scores of expensive watches to support the nomination of Sharon Stone for The Muse in 1999.

The Golden Globe awards will take place on 28 February.