The public service broadcasters in several European countries, including the Flemish public broadcaster VRT, have called for a debate within the European Broadcasting Unin (EBU) about Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Israel and the Eurovision Song Contest: "The VRT can take a leading role in the debate”
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The media studies lecturer Dr Jonathan Hendrickx of Brussels' Dutch-medium Free University VUB told VRT News that "I think that the VRT could certainly play a leading role” in the debate on Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
"There now needs to be a debate between all public broadcasters. Clearly defined rules need to be drawn up. We also need to examine whether we want Israel to continue to participate and do we still wish to take part if Israel still does?”
"But a common stance needs to be taken, otherwise nothing will happen. It would be really nice if our Flemish public broadcaster were to play a leading role in this”.
VRT: "Little information about the situation regarding Spain"
In a reaction to the news that the Spanish public broadcaster RTVE has asked the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) for an investigation into the televoting procedure during Saturday’s final of the Eurovision Song Contest, the VRT has said that for the time being it is not backing RTVE’s call.
In a statement, the Flemish public broadcaster said "For the time being we have little information, also regarding the situation with relation to Spain. We are in talks with the EBU in order to obtain more information with regard to this”.