Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS objects to the new rules regarding flags at the Eurovision Song Contest.

RTL has confirmed that Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS will appeal the new flag policy set out by the European Broadcasting Union last week. The policy for artists and delegations states that participants may only bring their own country’s official flag to any Eurovision 2025 event, including the live shows. They will be given a flag of their country by Swiss host broadcaster SRG SSR, which they can bring out during the flag parade at the start of the show.

The show’s new flag policy states that while “political messages should be avoided”, the host country Switzerland “places a high value on freedom of expression”. However, the Dutch broadcaster has highlighted that a pride flag, for example, is not a political statement:

Especially at this time, when the human rights of the LGBTI+ community are under pressure, it is not a good signal to ban those flags at the Eurovision Song Contest

It’s worth remembering that last year’s winner, Nemo, claimed in their winner’s press conference that they smuggled a non-binary flag onto stage with them for the flag parade after being told they weren’t allowed to do so.

AVROTROS are pushing for pride flags to be excluded from the rules set out by the EBU’s new policy, and is currently raising the issue with the organisation:

We would like to see if we can get something moving. We hope the EBU is open to that.

The new flag policy does, however, state that audience members and fans attending the shows in Basel can bring in any flag they want into the arena, as long as it complies with Swiss law.

Flags that would fall foul of the rules include:

  • Flags with racist and discriminatory content, including symbols that incite hatred or violence
  • Flags that may be considered offensive or defamatory
  • Flags with symbols of banned terrorist organisations

Image source: Eurovision.tv (Instagram) | Source: RTL

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Posted by:Emily Grace

I have been following the Eurovision Song Contest since 2006, and more recently I’ve enjoyed watching partner contests such as the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and Eurovision Young Dancers. I joined Eurovoix as an editor at the beginning of 2017.