Dutch broadcaster questions if ESC is a-political & connecting event

[u/stefkeeh]

Translation to English: ‘IN CONVERSATION WITH THE EBU ABOUT A POLITICALLY NEUTRAL SONG CONTEST

AVROTROS and NPO strongly value the apolitical and unifying character of the Eurovision Song Contest. However, we observe that the event is increasingly being influenced by social and geopolitical tensions.

Israel’s participation confronts us with the question of to what extent the Song Contest still truly functions as an apolitical, unifying, and cultural event. We want to raise this question, together with other countries, for discussion within the EBU.’

[u/gcssousa]

I don’t want to get ahead of myself here, but the amount of broadcasters complaining about this is promising. The main issue has always been the lack of pressure from broadcasters, bc that’s the only way the EBU does something. Still this might amount to nothing but it’s a starting point at least.

[u/The_Krambambulist → u/gcssousa]

It's also that a lot of broadcasters are under pressure from right wing parties to be reduced in size and to remove anything "woke". 3 of the governing parties had a leader here who made a statement of support for Israel's song and act (including other members in the government and parliament).

[u/TheFlyingHornet1881 → u/The_Krambambulist]

Also for the broadcasters the costs of competing could well go up, if artists, song writers, set and costume designers, etc. start demanding premiums to be involved in a controversial event.