Scandinavian broadcasters: We don't want Russia in Eurovision 2022
The three Scandinavian broadcasters all disagree with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU): Russia should not participate in Eurovision Song Contest 2022
Eurovision Song Contest should "unite nations and celebrates diversity through music", but in the last days Russia has clearly showed that they are not interested in neither uniting nations nor celebrating diversity.
On the same day as Russia attacked Ukraine, the Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC asked the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to ban Russia from Eurovision Song Contest 2022. The EBU said that the war will not affect Russia's or Ukraine's participation in Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in May, arguing that Eurovision is a "non-political cultural event".
Sweden: EBU needs to rethink
Shortly after, Hanna Stjärne, the CEO of the Swedish broadcaster Sveriges Television (SVT) said to Swedish media Göteborg-Posten, that the EBU "must rethink" the decision:
– The EBU needs to rethink. I sympathise with the basic idea of Eurovision as an apolitical event. But the situation in Europe is extremely serious, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It crosses all boundaries.
– We have called on the EBU to change and will follow developments closely.
Denmark: We find it wrong
The producer of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, Gustav Lützhøft, told the Danish media Ekstra Bladet:
– First of all, I would like to say that it is a serious and extremely unpleasant situation that is unfolding in Ukraine right now
– At DR (Danmarks Radio), we find it wrong if Russia is to participate in Eurovision, as the situation is now. That is DR’s position. And we communicate it to the EBU. We are in ongoing dialogue with them.
Norway: Russia can not participate
The CEO of Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK), Thor Gjermund Eriksen, said today to NRK:
– NRK has given clear advice to the EBU that Russia can not participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.
– At the same time, this is a member organisation that needs some time to anchor a decision. We have full confidence that the EBU will reach the right decision.
9 countries' broadcasters have asked the EBU to ban Russia from participating in Eurovision Song Contest 2022:
