Reactions to RTVE commentators – The Union calls for “strict neutrality” and prohibits political references to the competition
The tension around his participation continues Israel to Eurovision 2025sparking reactions from both public and state -run broadcasting.
The most recent development concerns the warning addressed by European Broadcasting Union (EBU) toward Public Spanish Radio and Television RTVEon the occasion of political comments heard during the broadcast of his second semifinal competition. According to the Spanish newspaper El PaÃs, EBU warned that such reports could cause criminal penalties if they were repeated.
EBU’s letter sent on Friday to Ana marÃa bordás —The head of the Spanish mission and the next president of the Eurovision Report Group – signed by the team’s president Bakel Walden and the executive supervisor Martin osterdahl.
The warning came as a reaction to the comments of presenters Tony aguilar and Julia varelawho, presenting Israel’s song “New Day Will Rise“, They referred both to the official letter sent by RTVE by calling for a dialogue on Israel’s involvement and the number of victims in the Gaza Strip, according to UN data.
EBU considered these comments to violate the rules of neutrality of the festival, as the commentators’ manual explicitly prohibits political statements. In its official position, RTVE said the presenters acted in full consultation with the body. Sources from Spanish television say that tonight’s final will have a “gesture” on dispute.
The same sources are wondering about EBU’s stance, stressing that the demand for human rights should not be considered a political position, especially when the Israeli mission has already referred to the victims of Hamas by the attacks of 7 October 2023.
In its letter, EBU recalls that presenters of the member states are obliged to comply with Eurovision instructions, which “prohibit political reports that may undermine the apolitical nature of the event”. As noted, “victims have no place in an entertainment show, which has the motto ‘united for music’.”
At the same time, the Israeli state body Kan filed a formal complaint to the EBU about the comments of the Spanish presenters, which led to a rigorous reaction from the organization. In contact with RTVE, EBU representatives have made it clear that there is no room for negotiation and that they are awaiting full compliance with Eurovision regulations.
Source :Skai
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