WILL EUROVISION RAP OVER THE KNUCKLES BE SUFFICIENT FOR AZERBAIJAN?

Peter Devine

Manchester Evening News Blog
September 30, 2009

THE European Broadcasting Union’s(EBU) response towards Azerbaijan
which interrogated citizens who voted for a neighbouring country
would to an outside observer appear to have gone almost completely
unpunished.

While not wanting to seem a completely half witted organisation in
danger of losing the plot, the bosses running the Eurovision Song
Contest, have now warned countries they MAY face a three year ban if
the reveal the names of individual TV voters

It came after various Eurovision blog writers were suggesting the worst
case scenario but where the MEN suggested a measured response would be
more advisable, and after TV voters in places like Baku were allegedly
hauled in front of the local constabulary to explain their actions of
‘disloyalty’ in voting for sworn enemies Armenia at May’s competition.

The new rul change is intended to make the government in the capital
and all other Eurovision participating countries responsible for
ensuring they keep phone voters details confidential.

Only time will tell if this will work but the Azerbaijan government
might be advised to weed out their over zealous Eurovision police,
unless of course they are absolutely desperate to win at Eurovision
at all costs!