EBU: All Russian members of governance groups suspended

• The EBU has expelled from all  its governance groups all the Russian members.

  Following last Saturday's EBU statement which expelled Russia from the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 after the escalation of violance and the Russian invasion in Ukraine, the organization released today a new statement through which she kicks out all Russian members from its govenance groups.

  Specifically the EBU released the following statement: 

  “The EBU Executive Board, in light of ongoing events in Ukraine, has decided to suspend representatives from its three Russian Members (RTR, Channel One and RDO) from serving in its governance groups, including the Executive Board and all Statutory Committees. This follows the decision taken last week to exclude Russia from the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest.

  In taking this action, the Executive Board took note of the public statement issued by the three Member organizations on 26 February announcing their intention to withdraw from the EBU. A decision taken as a direct result of Russia’s exclusion from the Song Contest. The Members have verbally confirmed to us their intent to leave and we are awaiting their formal confirmation.

  The suspension will remain in effect until further notice has been given by the Executive Board.”

   

  The story so far

  As a consequence of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, an upgrowing wave of reactions among the other participating broadcasters created a tensed and explosive atmposhere three months before the next contest. Namely, the following broadcasters openly asked Russia's suspension from the contest with some of them ready to withdraw if Russia participated:

  UA:PBC(Ukraine),NRK(Norway),YLE(Finland),DR(Denmark),SVT(Sweden),LRT(Lithuania),AVROTROS(Netherland), ERR(Estonia), RUV(Iceland).

  EBU eventually through an official statement last Saturday, excluded Russia from Eurovision 2022 bringing the number of countries to take part in the competition in Turin, on May 10,12 and 14. 

  Answering back to that decision, all-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK), Channel One and the Ostankino radio house were reportedly ready to withdraw from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). However, the EBU stated that they hadn't received any official forms and documentation from the Russian broadcaster. 

  Channel One has been part  of the EBU since 1995, VGTRK since 1993 and Radio Dom Ostankino since 1996. Leaving the organization means that they will no longer be able to compete in the Eurovision Family of Events or have any access to sports events, news and music programming material. 

   

  News Source/Image:  EBU

   

   

   

   

   

   

AUTHORS

Angelos D.
Loyal follower of the Eurovision Song Contest since 1987, I've made the competition one of the stories of my life. After attending as accredited press the event for 13 consecutive years along with the 2017-2024 JESC editions, I also enjoy the last three years sharing more Eurovision music through the Eurofans radio's project.