OGAE Ireland is a club which celebrates diversity and supports inclusion across its activities. We recognise the crucial importance of public service and independent media in an increasingly polarised society, and the role that the European Broadcasting Union plays in this regard.
Eurovision has historically been a place in which diversity is celebrated, and where people are free to be themselves. For those in and from countries where LGBTQI+ identities are criminalised or politicised, Eurovision sends a message that there is hope for a safer and more inclusive world. In its sometimes subtle and sometimes iconic way, Eurovision supports marginalised and stigmatised communities. This is the power of the contest that we love, the power of an independent media, and the power of music which unites.
There have been multiple calls from international media organisations including our national broadcaster RTÉ for a review of the stability of the voting platform, and we echo those calls. We believe that the trust of the public and stakeholders needs to be secured with respect to the voting process. In order to promote transparency regarding voting in the context of a voting process which is classified, as well as promoting trust in the EBU more generally we would request the publication by the EBU of the following disaggregated by all participating countries:
- All voting data disaggregated by phone/text/internet votes for ESC final for years 2021-2025
- All voting data disaggregated by phone/text/internet votes for ESC semi-finals for years 2021-2025
- All viewing figures for years 2021-2025
We support the calls for a review of voting processes and procedures for the 2026 contest, as well as for an open and transparent discussion of the future of the contest. In this context, the importance of independence in public broadcasting services is crucial, and KAN must be reviewed as to its compliance with the principles underpinning the philosophy of the EBU. The stated intentions of the Israeli government is to undermine the independence of its public media organisation KAN. The Public Media Alliance has stated that these measures would seriously undermine the freedom of the press. The European Broadcasting Union said that such measures would “have significant ramifications for the country’s democratic foundations” but even in the absence of such measures, the political independence of KAN must be examined by reference to its actions. It is not sufficient to speak of independence and commitment to public service broadcasting: such commitment must be evidenced in practice.
We believe that in considering the future of the competition, the EBU must consider the humanitarian crisis being perpetuated by the state of Israel. Ignoring the reality of the current situation, as the EBU has sought to do, is a political act. We sincerely hope that the 70th anniversary of the competition will mark a new chapter for the contest that we love, and an open commitment by all participating states to the promotion of democracy, and a respect for principles of international human rights, as laid out in the EBU’s Code of Ethics.
Frank Dermody
Uachtarán Club leanúna na hÉireann Eurovision
