EBU: Code of Conduct for Participants with Mandatory Political Neutrality

During the Eurovision Song Contest, set to take place in Basel, artists are expected to have a specially designated space where they can retreat and relax without being filmed or recorded, as stated by the head of the competition, Bakel Walden, to the newspaper Sonntagsblick. Additionally, the EBU is expected to implement a code of conduct for participants, requiring political neutrality while they are on stage.

These actions are part of a broader effort to protect the well-being of participants and maintain calm among the delegations during the competition.

Walden emphasized that the organization has a duty to ensure the mental and physical health of the artists, something that will be taken seriously in the future.

Referring to the 2024 contest in Malmö, Walden noted that although the event was successful, certain issues must not be repeated, particularly regarding communication before, during, and after the competition. He also stressed the need to keep Eurovision as neutral as possible from political matters, stating that Eurovision cannot solve global conflicts and wars.

In Malmö, the contest was overshadowed by protests and calls for a boycott against Israel, due to the war in Gaza following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Israeli artist Eden Golan mostly stayed in her hotel room for safety reasons and faced exclusion by other artists.

Finally, Walden addressed the importance of adhering to a code of conduct for participants, stressing mutual understanding and respect among the contestants. While he asked participants to maintain a neutral stance on stage, outside of performances, they are free to express their views.

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Source: zeit.news