The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS requested a conversation with the EBU regarding the ban of Pride Flags on stage during this year’s edition. The EBU has decided to keep the flag rules in place.
AVROTROS requested this conversation after the interest group COC protested against it. From this year onwards the new flag policy states that artists are only allowed to display the flag of their own country in ‘official spaces’ such as on stages and in the green room, and therefore the rainbow flag is not included in this. The COC says that the pride flag is “an expression of who you are and not a political statement”.
AVROTROS has said that they agree with the COC, but is complying with the policy for this edition. “Although we consider this a missed opportunity, we – like the other 36 countries – respect the rules that now apply for this year,” says the broadcaster. Furthermore they say: “We are now focusing on the connecting power of music, in the belief that the dialogue about visibility and representation can best be conducted jointly and with an eye to the long term.”
The broadcaster will however, continue the discussion about this after this year’s edition but states that the policy change is not possible so close to the event in Basel this year.
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