In the aftermath of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, multiple delegations are seeking a meeting with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU from now on) to address several incidents that occurred during the event. The Portuguese broadcaster RTP initiated this request, with their letter being signed by other delegations, including those from France, Spain, Croatia, and Norway.
The first major point of contention was the disqualification of the Netherlands‘ entry, Joost Klein, on May 9. The incident that led to this decision remains disputed, with Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS protesting the disqualification and expressing concerns about the use of anti-booing technology, which they believe unfairly influenced the audience’s reactions and the competition’s atmosphere.
Ireland also reported a significant disruption that caused their artist, Bambie Thug, to miss the final dress rehearsal on May 11. This incident prompted the Irish delegation to lodge a formal complaint with the EBU. Additionally, Spain’s RTVE raised concerns about press freedoms during the competition, underscoring a broader unease about the transparency and openness of Eurovision’s operational environment.
Safety concerns were another critical issue, with delegations from Portugal, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom describing an ‘unsafe environment’ at this year’s contest. These safety issues were severe enough to prompt crisis meetings with the EBU, with several countries reportedly considering withdrawing from the competition.
Portugal’s performance faced particular scrutiny, with the EBU alleging the presence of ‘pro-Palestinian elements’ in the act, which delayed the upload of iolanda’s performance during the final. This situation added to the tension between the EBU and participating delegations, highlighting the complex balance between artistic freedom and political sensitivity at Eurovision.
In response to these escalating concerns, the EBU issued a statement addressing the behavior of various delegations during Eurovision 2024. The statement, released to The Mirror and the Irish Independent, read:
“We regret that some delegations at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö didn’t respect the spirit of the rules and the competition both onsite and during their broadcasts. We spoke to a number of delegations during the event regarding various issues that were brought to our attention. The EBU’s governing bodies will, together with the heads of delegations, review the events surrounding the ESC in Malmö to move forward in a positive way and to ensure the values of the event are respected by everyone. Individual cases will be discussed by the event’s governing body, the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group made up of representatives from participating broadcasters, at its next meeting.”
Despite these challenges, the contest saw a historic victory with Nemo’s win for Switzerland. Nemo’s performance of “The Code” scored a total of 591 points, including 22 sets of 12 points from the juries and 12 points from the public in Ukraine. This victory marks Switzerland’s third Eurovision win, following Lys Assia’s “Refrain” in 1956 and Celine Dion’s “Ne partez pas sans moi” in 1988.
As the Eurovision community looks ahead, the requested meeting between the EBU and the concerned delegations will be crucial in addressing the issues raised and ensuring the contest’s integrity and fairness in future editions. For a detailed look into these incidents and the EBU’s response, visit The EuroHub.
Sources: RTP, The Irish Independent , The Mirror , Newstalk
