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Eurovision 2025: Stricter rules for artists and mandatory political neutrality like the Olympics

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The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel is set to introduce an innovative commitment to fair play, inspired by the Olympic Games. Following the controversies and protests that overshadowed the contest in Malmö, Bakel Walden, chairman of the contest’s supervisory board, announced the new rules in a statement to the German Press Agency.

Fair Play and the Olympic Model

Participants in Eurovision 2025 will need to follow a code of conduct similar to the Olympic Oath taken by athletes. This commitment aims to foster an atmosphere of respect and neutrality, ensuring the contest remains a space free from political or personal agendas.

“Negative behavior will not be tolerated,” Walden stated. “Violations will lead to warnings or even access restrictions. There are areas where freedom of expression has limits, especially when it affects others.” He emphasized that, just like the Olympics, neutrality is essential for the Eurovision’s success.

Addressing the 2024 Protests

The push for stricter rules emerged after the tumultuous contest in Malmö, where the atmosphere was significantly affected by anti-Israel protests. Beyond the demonstrations, incidents of hostility and offensive remarks toward the Israeli performer created a divisive climate.

Walden expressed concern that if participants and fans continue to openly express opposing beliefs, the cohesion of the contest could be jeopardized. “If this trend continues, Eurovision simply won’t work anymore in three to five years,” he warned.

A Vision of Unity

The new measures aim to preserve Eurovision’s legacy as a celebration of diversity and unity. Participants will be required to commit to a fair and safe environment, respecting the inclusive spirit of the event and ensuring it remains a platform for music and culture free from divisive actions or hate speech.

With Basel hosting Eurovision 2025, these regulations represent a significant step toward reinforcing respect and neutrality at one of Europe’s most beloved cultural institutions. Fans and participants hope that this approach will restore harmony to the contest and safeguard its tradition as a unifying cultural celebration.

Conclusion

Practically, all of the above means that the EBU is determined not to allow incidents in Basel that could inflame tensions, whether caused by statements or actions from artists, accredited journalists, or delegation members. Political neutrality will be mandatory for everyone accessing the contest venues. As mentioned earlier this summer, the EBU’s model will follow the environment seen at the Paris Olympics, where athletes, stakeholders, and spectators alike demonstrated respect for all sides. These international events aim to bring people closer, not resolve global issues.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all updates!

Source: SRF

EBU: New mandatory code of conduct for accredited individuals and other changes to the Eurovision Song Contest

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The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is introducing new initiatives and changes aimed at improving the experience of Eurovision Song Contest participants and reinforcing the values of community, respect, and equality. These changes seek to create a more positive and supportive environment and will be implemented for the first time at the 2025 contest in Basel.

Code of Conduct and Duty of Care Protocol

For the first time, adhering to a Code of Conduct will be mandatory for accreditation at the contest, fostering a culture of professionalism and respect. The Code will include compliance with local laws, a ban on political statements, and guidelines for responsible communication and behavior.

Additionally, the Duty of Care Protocol will ensure the safety and well-being of participating artists, encouraging collaboration between the EBU, the Host Broadcaster, and participating broadcasters to prevent unnecessary physical or emotional strain.

Changes to Event Organization and Participant Experience

To better support artists, the EBU has announced the following measures for Eurovision 2025:

  • Camera-free zones in key artist preparation areas.
  • More closed-door rehearsals to allow artists to focus without distractions.
  • Optimized rehearsal schedules to provide artists with more time for rest and to explore the host city.
  • Appointment of a Welfare Officer to act as a key point of contact for supporting artists and staff.

Commitment to Unity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Eurovision Song Contest continues to stand as a symbol of unity and diversity. In 2025, the EBU will introduce the Eurovision Pledge, reaffirming its commitment to community, respect, and equality.

Statements from the Leadership

Martin Green, the new Director of the Contest, emphasized:

“We are united through music – and it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the Contest remains an event that promotes unity, diversity, and inclusion. The changes we are introducing for Basel 2025 aim to offer the best possible experience for participants, staff, and audiences alike.”

Bakel Walden, Chair of the ESC Reference Group, added:

“The new measures to be implemented for Eurovision 2025 represent an important first step in the responsible development of this iconic music event, tailored to modern needs.”

The Catalyst for Change

The behavior of many accredited individuals during Eurovision 2024 appears to have been the tipping point that prompted the EBU to take these decisions. It is time for those attending the contest in a journalistic capacity to recognize that while they may also be fans, they are professionals within the press center and must act accordingly.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the latest updates!

Source: EBU

Eurovision 2025: The Boycott that never happened and Europe’s dynamic return to the musical stage

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The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is already shaping up to be one of the most dynamic editions in recent decades. Early official announcements confirm that at least 38 countries have expressed their intention to participate, surpassing the number of entries in Malmö last year, as Montenegro joins the list of returning nations. However, what truly stands out is the complete collapse of the anticipated boycott that many had predicted following the events of 2024.

The Boycott: A Story That Remained in Theory

Following last year’s contest in Sweden, several voices — including politicians, artists, and fans from various countries — called for a boycott of the competition. The protests mainly focused on Israel’s continued participation due to geopolitical tensions, along with claims that Eurovision was straying from its original purpose as a cultural and musical platform of unity.

Despite these calls, predictions of mass withdrawals fell flat. Not only did no country exit the competition, but Montenegro’s return adds to the participant count, making the 2025 contest even larger than in 2024. This highlights Eurovision’s enduring resilience as a cultural institution, capable of withstanding political controversies and challenges.

The Growing Momentum of Eurovision 2025

The announcement of 38 confirmed participants sends a clear message: the contest is not only intact but continues to unite nations and people through music. Discussions of a boycott now seem irrelevant, as the number of participating countries has increased. Furthermore, the official list from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) may hold even more surprises, potentially welcoming additional returning nations.

The fact that predictions of Eurovision’s disintegration proved baseless underscores the deep-rooted significance of the event. Eurovision is more than just a music competition — it is a platform for cultural diplomacy. Even in the face of challenging geopolitical circumstances, music remains the prevailing force.

Basel Prepares for a Historic Event

With 38 countries already confirmed, Basel, Switzerland, is gearing up to host a contest that already carries the hallmarks of success. Montenegro’s return, along with the potential for additional nations to join, not only reinforces Eurovision’s significance but also disproves exaggerated claims about the contest’s decline.

Eurovision 2025 promises to be much more than a competition: it will serve as a symbol of unity and resilience in the face of challenges. It will leave behind the political disputes and reaffirm that music is a universal bridge.

The voices of a vocal minority predicting the contest’s collapse and the mass withdrawal of nations due to last year’s controversies — including Israel’s continued participation — have been proven to be mere wishful thinking. Public broadcasters, as EBU members, ultimately had a very different perspective, choosing to uphold the spirit of the contest.

With May just around the corner, all indications point to Eurovision 2025 being the most dazzling answer to those who doubted the strength and importance of this beloved event for Europe.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the latest updates!

Swiss conservative party submits signatures for referendum to block Eurovision 2025

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The Swiss Federal Democratic Union (EDU), an ultra-conservative political party, has submitted signatures to initiate a referendum aiming to block the hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel from May 13 to 17, 2025.

The EDU seeks a vote on November 24 regarding the CHF 37.5 million ($43.3 million) loan recently approved by the Basel cantonal parliament for organizing the ESC 2025. On Saturday, the party submitted 4,203 signatures for the referendum, surpassing the minimum requirement of 2,000 certified signatures due by October 26. These signatures will now be verified by the Basel State Chancellery.

On September 11, Basel’s cantonal parliament approved the loan for Eurovision 2025 with 87 votes in favor, 4 against, and 4 abstentions. However, the EDU is the only political party opposing this funding. Given its limited presence in Basel City, it had to rely on support from outside the canton to gather sufficient signatures.

The small Christian party had previously announced it would initiate a referendum against public funding for what it described as a “propaganda event.”

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: swissinfo

“Basel has a better chance of hosting Eurovision 2025” says the RTS contest’s commentator

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Jean-Marc Richard, who has been commentating on the Song Contest for French-speaking Swiss television station RTS for over 30 years, believes that Basel has a better chance of hosting the event than the other candidate city, Geneva. He told the news agency Keystone-SDA that interest in the Eurovision Song Contest is greater in German-speaking Switzerland.

It is true that the response in French-speaking Switzerland has increased since Fribourg’s Gjon’s Tears came third in 2021. However, German-speaking Switzerland is closer to English and the entertainment formats of Eurovision.

If Basel wins the bid, the St. Jakobshalle will become the main venue for the Eurovision 2025, according to President of the Government Conradin Cramer. The government estimates the costs at CHF 30 to 35 million.

However, if Geneva becomes the venue for the world’s biggest singing competition, the Palexpo exhibition center right next to the airport would become the venue. According to city president Christina Kitsos, the costs here are estimated at around CHF 30 million.

The future venue can count on a huge advertising effect. After all, 163 million people watched the three live TV shows from Malmö in Sweden last May – according to Swiss television, almost 800,000 in Switzerland alone.

On Friday it will be announced which of the two cities will host the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. At ten o’clock cet, the award will be communicated via the official channels of the Swiss national broadcaster and contest’s official social media.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: m&k