Chinese TV gets Eurovision ban for censoring gay dancing and flag
A CHINESE broadcaster has had its rights to screen the Eurovision song contest revoked after it censored gay elements from the first semi-final.
Mango TV, one of China’s most watched online channels, reportedly blacked out two performances during Tuesday’s competition, the Irish and Albanian entries.
Speculation in China suggested that the Irish song was censored as it featured two male dancers re-enacting a love story, while Albania’s Eugent Bushpepa sported tattoos.
An LBGT rainbow flag was also blurred during Mango TV’S screening of the contest.
Only the EU flag, rainbow flags and flags of UN states are allowed at Eurovision to prevent the event being politicised. Eurovision is hugely popular among the gay community and the rainbow flag is allowed as “a symbol of tolerance and diversity”.
However, fans are warned against waving their rainbow flags “politically” during entries from countries with poor
LBGT rights. In 2014, Conchita Wurst, a bearded drag queen, won and became a gay icon.
Ryan O’shaughnessy, the Irish Eurovision entrant, who will perform at the final in Lisbon tonight, said he welcomed the decision to terminate Mango TV’S contract. “From the very start we’ve said love is love – whether it’s between two guys, two girls, or a guy and a girl, so I think this is a really important decision,” he told the BBC.
“They haven’t taken this lightly and I think it’s a move in the right direction, so I’m happy about it.”
Ireland holds the record number of Eurovision wins but the country’s form has dipped in recent years after seven victories, including three in a row. It came last in 2013, and its most recent win dates back to 1997.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced it had terminated its contract with Mango TV after “two performances were censored”.
“This is not in line with the EBU’S values of universality and inclusivity and our proud tradition of celebrating diversity through music,” it said in a statement, according to the Radio Times. “It is with regret that we will therefore immediately be terminating our partnership with the broadcaster.”
Beijing has launched a wide-ranging crackdown on the internet in recent months, targeting what it deems “improper content” or material which does not comply with “core socialist values”. Tattoos also have come under scrutiny. Players from China’s national football team were seen covering their tattoos with bandages.