Golden Globes 2015: HFPA president wins standing ovation for free speech support

Theo Kingma said Hollywood stands against anyone who represses free speech 'from North Korea to Paris'

HPFA president Theo Kingma (Getty Images)

The President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) has received a standing ovation at the Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles, after declaring that Hollywood was “united against anyone who would repress free speech.”

Dutch photojournalist Theo Kingma leads the HFPA, which organises and awards the Golden Globes.

In his speech during tonight’s ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, he referred to this week’s terrorist attacks in France, saying: “We understand the importance of free expression as not only an integral part of the American fabric, but a beacon that is reflected across the globe.

“Together we will stand united against anyone who would repress free speech anywhere from North Korea to Paris.”

Several stars showed solidarity with Charlie Hebdo on the red carpet before the ceremony, including George Clooney and his wife, Amal Alamuddin, who both sported “Je suis Charlie” badges.

Helen Mirren arrived carrying a “Je suis Charlie” sign. Writing in Variety earlier today, producer Harvey Weinstein said he hoped that, “someone like Tina, Amy or George Clooney will urge us to toast with 300 million viewers around the world: ‘Je suis Charlie, je suis juif, je suis Ahmed.’”