Eurovision bans all flags except national flags to maintain political neutrality

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has implemented a ban on the display of all flags except national flags during performances at the Eurovision Song Contest. This prohibition encompasses a range of flags, including LGBTQ+ pride flags, Palestinian flags, and flags representing the European Union. The policy has been officially confirmed by AVROTROS, the Dutch broadcaster responsible for organising the Netherlands’ participation in the contest.

AVROTROS explained that the ban is part of the EBU’s broader effort to uphold Eurovision as a "non-political event." The broadcaster clarified that during official moments—such as when participants are introduced on stage—only the flag of the country they represent should be displayed. AVROTROS stated that the objective of this policy is to maintain political neutrality throughout the competition.

Although AVROTROS acknowledged that rainbow flags are not inherently political, the broadcaster emphasised that the EBU aims for consistent application of the rule across the event. A representative from AVROTROS told NL Times, "A rainbow flag is not a political statement. But the EBU wants to draw a clear line, and that is their reasoning for the decision."

The decision has faced criticism from the LGBTQ+ advocacy group COC, which argues that the rainbow flag is a symbol of personal identity rather than a political statement. A COC spokesperson expressed their concerns to ANP, saying, "We want to have a conversation with AVROTROS. We consider AVROTROS a strong ally of the LGBTQ+ community, and we are confident that we can convince them that expressing who you are is not a political statement, especially for an artist."

COC also highlighted AVROTROS’s role as a broadcaster of Pride events and its awareness of the rainbow flag's significance as an expression of identity. "AVROTROS knows very well that the rainbow flag is an expression of who you are," the spokesperson added.

AVROTROS has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with COC over the issue. A representative clarified on Saturday that while they understand the EBU’s perspective, they remain "open to conversation." The broadcaster emphasised that the flag ban is limited to official moments when it is necessary to clearly identify the country being represented. "At all other times, we are free to communicate what we want," AVROTROS noted.

This is not the first occasion on which the EBU has restricted the use of rainbow flags at Eurovision. Last year, attendees at the event were not permitted to bring rainbow flags inside the venue.

COC condemned the ban, asserting, "Banning a pride flag is like forbidding participants from holding hands with their same-sex partner or claiming that a kiss between two people of the same gender is a political statement."

The EBU’s policy on flag displays at Eurovision continues to provoke debate over the balance between political neutrality and expressions of identity within the widely viewed international music competition.

Source: Noah Wire Services