Ukraine's President Zelensky blocked from giving Eurovision speech trends now
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President Zelensky was blocked from addressing the world at Eurovision after the BBC and other broadcasters decided it would be too ‘political’.
Organisers rejected a request from the Ukrainian president to make a surprise video appearance to urge the 160 million-strong audience to continue their support in the face of Russian aggression, according to The Times.
The European Broadcasting Union - an alliance of more than 100 broadcasters - turned down the President out of concerns his appearance would risk politicising the event.
A spokesperson for the Union said: ‘The Eurovision Song Contest is an international entertainment show and governed by strict rules and principles which have been established since its creation.
‘As part of these, one of the cornerstones of the contest is the non-political nature of the event.’
President Zelensky was blocked from addressing the world at Eurovision after the BBC and other broadcasters decided it would be too ‘political’
‘This principle prohibits the possibility of making political or similar statements as part of the contest.
‘The request by Mr Zelensky to address the audience at the Eurovision Song Contest, whilst made with laudable intentions, regrettably cannot be granted as it would be against the rules of the event.’
BBC insiders told the Times ‘tricky and delicate’ negotiations were still taking place as they were wary it would set a precedent for more problematic leaders in the future.
But the decision was criticised as ‘not acceptable’ last
