Eurovision Song Contest announces disagreement with Chinese television after MGP censorship

Ryan O'Shaughnessy from Ireland celebrates after securing a place in the final in Lisbon, Portugal, Tuesday, May 8, 2018 during the first semi-final for the Eurovision Song Contest. The Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals take place in Lisbon on Tuesday, May 8 and Thursday, May 10 with the the grand final taking place on Saturday May 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

The Chinese TV channel, Mango TV, is not allowed to air the final of the Eurovision Song Contest after the channel censored part of the semi-final.

 

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), who host Eurovision, announced after Mango TV  censored two appearances during the semifinal on Tuesday.

“It is not in line with EBU’s values of universality and inclusion, or with our proud tradition of celebrating diversity through music,” the EBU wrote in a press release.

‘’It is with regret that we therefore terminate our partnership with the television station with immediate effect,’’ EBU reported.

Mango TV censored the performances of the heavily tattooed Albanian artist, Eugent Bushpepa and the Irish artist, Ryan O’Shaughnessy. The latter presented the song “Together” about an unsuccessful love affair. On stage during his performance, the love story was played out by two male dancers. Mango TV censored the rainbow flags from the stage.
Where LGBT symbols and rainbow flags have been shown in Eurovision, LGBT culture is still taboo in the Chinese entertainment industry

 

 

© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today