This morning, Jean Philip De Tender, Director of Media at the EBU, gave an interview on De Ochtend on Belgian Radio 1, where suggested that the televoting system might need to be reviewed.
“All voting results were valid. We have the best partner in Europe that monitors voting behavior (Once Germany GmbH, ed.). And in addition, all votes are also validated on site by Ernst & Young. Everything went correctly and is valid.”
“At the same time, you can discuss whether the maximum number of 20 votes per SIM or payment card is a good thing. We introduced it because the Eurovision Song Contest has a real family audience. If children in the family all want to vote for a different candidate, you should also give that option.”
You have that cultural voice that can also play a role. We can re-examine whether we can reduce the number of votes in televoting,
Jean Philip De Tender, Director of Media at EBU
The audience is asked to vote based on the song, “but of course people also vote for a candidate for other reasons. For example, the Netherlands will also have received many votes from Flanders in the final. You have that cultural voice that can also play a role. But we can review that, whether we can reduce the number of votes in televoting.”
At the same time, De Tender says that the role of the professional juries may also need to be reconsidered. “Currently, the votes of the professional juries do not count in the semi-final (only the public votes count there, ed.). We are looking into whether we need to change that.”
Israeli candidate Yuval Raphael finished second, after receiving 297 votes from the public.
The discussion about Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest will also be held, De Tender confirms. In the meantime, it is not only broadcasters who are asking questions about this. Now that the Song Contest is over, we are also hearing opinions from artists.
“There really needs to be a sit-down about Israel’s participation,” said Belgian candidate Red Sebastian earlier this week on ‘De tafel van Gert’ on Play4. Yesterday, Austrian winner JJ said he found it “disappointing” that Israel is still participating.
It is the members of the EBU, the public broadcasters, who decide whether or not to participate, says De Tender. “There was broad consultation between all members in December, and no member spoke out against the participation of the Israeli public broadcaster KAN. In this way, we are in line with what is currently happening internationally in culture and sports, where Israeli delegations still participate.”
It is not up to the EBU to make political statements. But we also understand that something like the Eurovision Song Contest has a big impact on a political level,
Jean Philip De Tender, Director of Media at EBU
De Tender understands the request from various broadcasters, including VRT, to hold the debate on Israel’s participation. “We are going to do that at a high level in the coming weeks, we are going to look at the expectations of the members and enter into discussion, and then we will make a decision.”
“The EBU as an organisation must be neutral, it is not up to the EBU to make political statements. But we also understand that something like the Eurovision Song Contest has a big impact on an international and political level. We are now making the commitment to enter into the debate.”
Source vrt.be
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