Editing European Broadcasting Union (section)

==Controversies==
===Greek state broadcaster (2013)===
On 11 June 2013, the Greek government shut down the state broadcaster [[Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation]] (ERT) on short notice, citing government spending concerns related to the [[European debt crisis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/132876/greek-public-broadcaster-ert-to-be-shut-down-reopened-with-fewer-employees/|title=Greek public broadcaster ERT to be shut down, reopened with fewer employees|work=[[Kathimerini]]|date=11 June 2013|access-date=28 April 2014|archive-date=25 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525191740/https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/132876/greek-public-broadcaster-ert-to-be-shut-down-reopened-with-fewer-employees/|url-status=live}}</ref> In response, the EBU set up a makeshift studio the same day near the former ERT offices in Athens in order to continue providing EBU members with the news-gathering and broadcast relay services which had formerly been provided by ERT.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jun/12/ert-shutdown-european-broadcasting-union-makeshift-studio-greece|location=London|work=The Guardian|first=Lisa|last=O'Carroll|title=ERT shutdown: European Broadcasting Union sets up makeshift studio|date=12 June 2013|access-date=14 December 2016|archive-date=24 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524210128/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jun/12/ert-shutdown-european-broadcasting-union-makeshift-studio-greece|url-status=live}}</ref> The EBU put out a statement expressing its "profound dismay" at the shutdown, urging the [[Prime Minister of Greece|Greek Prime Minister]] "to use all his powers to immediately reverse this decision" and offered the "advice, assistance and expertise necessary for ERT to be preserved".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ebu.ch/news/2013/06/ebu-urges-greek-government-to-re|title=EBU urges the Greek government to reverse decision on ERT|date=11 June 2013|access-date=28 April 2014|website=ebu.ch|publisher=EBU|first=Michelle|last=Roverelli}}</ref> Starting on 4 May 2014, the new state broadcaster [[New Hellenic Radio, Internet and Television]] (NERIT) began nationwide transmissions, taking over ERT's vacant active membership slot in the EBU.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17372888|title=Greece media guide|publisher=BBC News|date=13 January 2014|access-date=13 January 2014|archive-date=5 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305040837/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17372888|url-status=live}}</ref> On 11 June 2015, two years after ERT's closure, NERIT was renamed as Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT),<ref>{{cite web|title=Greece's state broadcaster ERT back on air after two years|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33090373|publisher=BBC News|access-date=18 January 2016|date=11 June 2015|archive-date=19 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119223741/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33090373|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NERIT">{{cite web|last1=Maltezou|first1=Renee|title=In symbolic move, Greece to reopen shuttered state broadcaster|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/eurozone-greece-television-idUSL5N0W723020150428/|agency=Reuters|access-date=18 January 2016|date=28 April 2015}}</ref> which reopened with a comprehensive program in all radio stations (with nineteen regional, two world-range and five pan-Hellenic range radio stations) and three TV channels [[ERT1]], [[ERT2]] and [[ERT3]].

===Belarusian state broadcaster (2021)===
The [[Belteleradio|Belarusian Television and Radio Company]] (BTRC) has been accused of repressing its own employees, having fired more than 100 people since a wave of [[2020–2021 Belarusian protests|anti-Lukashenko protests]] in 2020 following alleged election fraud. Many of them have also been jailed. Many voices have been raised against the participation of BTRC in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2021]] representing Belarus, the argument being that the EBU would make a political statement if it did endorse BTRC by essentially and silently saying that democracy is unimportant and so are basic human rights such as freedom of speech.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 January 2021|title=Belarus: Protestors Call for the EBU To Remove BTRC From Eurovision|url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/01/28/belarus-protestors-call-ebu-remove-btrc-from-eurovision/259115/|access-date=18 February 2021|website=wiwibloggs|language=en-US|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204144539/https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/01/28/belarus-protestors-call-ebu-remove-btrc-from-eurovision/259115/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 28 May 2021, the EBU suspended the BTRC's membership as they had been "particularly alarmed by the broadcast of interviews apparently obtained under duress". BTRC was given two weeks to respond before the suspension came into effect, but did not do so publicly.<ref>{{cite press release|last=Rainford|first=Claire|date=28 May 2021|title=EBU Executive Board agrees to suspension of Belarus Member BTRC|url=https://www.ebu.ch/news/2021/05/ebu-executive-board-agrees-to-suspension-of-belarus-member-btrc|location=Switzerland|website=ebu.ch|publisher=EBU|access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref> The suspension of the broadcaster was made effective on 1 July 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://euroradio.fm/belteleradyyokampaniyu-vyklyuchyli-z-eurapeyskaga-vyashchalnaga-sayuza|title=Белтэлерадыёкампанію выключылі з Еўрапейскага вяшчальнага саюза|date=30 June 2021|website=euroradio.fm|access-date=30 June 2021|archive-date=1 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701100520/https://euroradio.fm/belteleradyyokampaniyu-vyklyuchyli-z-eurapeyskaga-vyashchalnaga-sayuza|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Granger|first=Anthony|date=27 August 2021|title=Belarus: BTRC Reveals EBU Suspension Scheduled to Expire in 2024|url=https://eurovoix.com/2021/08/27/btrc-ebu-suspension-2024/|access-date=27 August 2021|website=Eurovoix|archive-date=27 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827083627/https://eurovoix.com/2021/08/27/btrc-ebu-suspension-2024/|url-status=live}}</ref> Although initial reports mentioned that it would expire after three years, in April 2024 the EBU confirmed that the suspension had been made indefinite.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Farren |first=Neil |date=23 April 2024 |title=Belarus: BTRC Indefinitely Suspended From EBU |url=https://eurovoix.com/2024/04/23/belarus-btrc-indefinitely-suspended-from-ebu/ |access-date=23 April 2024 |website=Eurovoix |archive-date=23 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423210446/https://eurovoix.com/2024/04/23/belarus-btrc-indefinitely-suspended-from-ebu/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Russian state broadcasters (2022)===
The three Russian members of the EBU, [[Channel One Russia]], [[All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company|VGTRK]], and Radio Dom Ostankino are all controlled by the Russian government.<ref>{{Cite news|date=8 June 2021|title=Russia media guide|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17840134|access-date=27 February 2022|archive-date=24 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324030150/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17840134|url-status=live}}</ref> On 21 February 2022, the Russian government recognized the independence of the [[Donetsk People's Republic|Donetsk]] and [[Luhansk People's Republic]]s, disputed territories that are internationally recognized as part of Ukraine. Ukraine's public broadcaster [[Suspilne]] called on the EBU to terminate the membership of Channel One Russia and VGTRK, and to consider preventing them from participating in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2022]] representing Russia, citing the Russian government's use of both outlets to spread [[Media portrayal of the Russo-Ukrainian War|disinformation surrounding the Russo-Ukrainian war]].<ref>{{Cite press release|last=Chernotytsky|first=Mykola|title=Суспільне вимагає припинити членство російських ЗМІ у ЄМС|trans-title=Suspilne demands the termination of the membership of the Russian media in the EBU|url=https://corp.suspilne.media/newsdetails/4807|access-date=24 February 2022|website=suspilne.media|publisher=Suspilne|language=uk|archive-date=24 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224093023/https://corp.suspilne.media/newsdetails/4807|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], several other public broadcasters joined UA:PBC in calling for Russia's exclusion from the 2022 Contest; Finland's [[Yle]] and Estonia's [[Eesti Rahvusringhääling|ERR]] stated that they would not send a representative if Russia was allowed to participate.<ref>{{Cite press release|title=Yle calls upon the European Broadcasting Union to exclude Russia from the Eurovision Song Contest|url=https://yle.fi/aihe/a/20-10002306|access-date=27 February 2022|website=yle.fi|publisher=[[Yle]]isradio|language=en|archive-date=26 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226235605/https://yle.fi/aihe/a/20-10002306|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kaldoja|first=Kerttu|date=25 February 2022|title=Eesti osalemine Eurovisioonil sõltub Venemaa osalusest|trans-title=Estonia's participation in Eurovision depends on Russia's participation|url=https://menu.err.ee/1608512489/eesti-osalemine-eurovisioonil-soltub-venemaa-osalusest|access-date=25 February 2022|publisher=[[Eesti Rahvusringhääling|ERR]]|language=et|archive-date=3 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303223353/https://menu.err.ee/1608512489/eesti-osalemine-eurovisioonil-soltub-venemaa-osalusest|url-status=live}}</ref> After initially stating that both Russia and Ukraine would be allowed to compete,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gonzalez|first=Sandra|title=Russia will be allowed to compete in Eurovision despite invasion, organizer says|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/24/entertainment/eurovision-russia/index.html|access-date=27 February 2022|publisher=CNN|date=24 February 2022|archive-date=9 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609060341/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/24/entertainment/eurovision-russia/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the EBU announced on 25 February 2022 that it would ban Russia from participating in the Contest.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 February 2022|title=Russia banned from Eurovision song contest over invasion of Ukraine|agency=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/broadcasters-call-russia-ban-eurovision-song-contest-2022-02-25/|access-date=27 February 2022|language=en-CA|archive-date=17 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017224647/https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/broadcasters-call-russia-ban-eurovision-song-contest-2022-02-25/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The three Russian broadcasters announced, via a statement released by Russian state media, that they would withdraw from the EBU on 26 February, citing increased politicization of the organization.<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 February 2022|title=Rusijos televizijos traukiasi iš EBU|trans-title=Russian television stations leave the EBU|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/pasaulyje/6/1627306/rusijos-televizijos-traukiasi-is-ebu|access-date=27 February 2022|website=lrt.lt|language=lt|archive-date=27 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227081426/https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/pasaulyje/6/1627306/rusijos-televizijos-traukiasi-is-ebu|url-status=live}}</ref> The EBU released a statement saying that it was aware of the reports, but that it had not received any formal confirmation.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rainford|first=Claire|date=26 February 2022|title=EBU Statement on RTR, Channel One and Radio House Ostankino membership|url=https://www.ebu.ch/news/2022/02/ebu-statement-on-rtr-and-channel-one-membership|access-date=28 February 2022|website=ebu.ch|publisher=EBU|language=en}}</ref> On 1 March, a further statement from the EBU announced that it had suspended its Russian members from its governance structures.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rainford|first=Claire|date=1 March 2022|title=EBU Statement on Russian Members|url=https://www.ebu.ch/news/2022/03/statement-on-russian-members|access-date=4 March 2022|website=ebu.ch|publisher=EBU|language=en}}</ref> On 26 May, the EBU made effective the suspension of its Russian members indefinitely.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vidal|first=Fernando Nicolás|date=26 May 2022|title=La UER hace efectiva la suspensión indefinida a sus miembros rusos|url=https://www.escplus.es/eurovision/2022/la-uer-hace-efectiva-la-suspension-indefinida-a-sus-miembros-rusos/|access-date=26 May 2022|website=ESCplus España|language=es|archive-date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925174935/https://www.escplus.es/eurovision/2022/la-uer-hace-efectiva-la-suspension-indefinida-a-sus-miembros-rusos/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release|title=Європейська мовна спілка призупинила членство російських ЗМІ|trans-title=The European Broadcasting Union has suspended membership of the Russian media|url=https://corp.suspilne.media/newsdetails/5047|access-date=27 May 2022|website=suspilne.media|publisher=[[Suspilne]]|language=uk|archive-date=29 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629050033/https://corp.suspilne.media/newsdetails/5047|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2023, an extensive investigation by the EBU Investigative Journalism Network uncovered evidence of a Kremlin-sponsored [[Child abductions in the Russo-Ukrainian War|initiative to take Ukrainian children from the war-torn country to Russia]], a war crime under international law.<ref>{{cite press release|last=Waters|first=Jo|date=14 February 2023|title=Where are the missing children of Ukraine?|url=https://www.ebu.ch/news/2023/02/where-are-the-missing-children-of-ukraine|location=Switzerland|website=ebu.ch|publisher=EBU|access-date=8 March 2023}}</ref>

===Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest===
{{Further information|Controversies of the Eurovision Song Contest#Israeli participation|Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024#Calls for exclusion|Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025#Calls for exclusion}}
The [[Gaza humanitarian crisis (2023–present)|humanitarian crisis]] and [[Israeli war crimes in the Gaza war|war crimes]] committed during [[Gaza war|Israeli military operations]] in the [[Gaza Strip]] have led to calls for the EBU to expel Israel and broadcaster [[Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation|KAN]] from the Eurovision Song Contest.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Alex |last2=Sella |first2=Adam |date=7 February 2024 |title=Israel Chooses a Eurovision Act as Boycott Campaigns Swirl |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/07/arts/music/israel-eurovision-war-boycott.html |access-date=9 February 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew|last=Jones|title=United by music, divided on Israel: Eurovision tensions bubble up in famously neutral Switzerland |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/world/europe/united-music-divided-israel-eurovision-tensions-bubble-famously-neutra-rcna206455 |work=NBC News |date=15 May 2025}}</ref> The Slovenian broadcaster [[Radiotelevizija Slovenija|RTVSLO]] submitted a demand for the EBU to exclude Israel in December 2024,<ref>{{cite news |title=Slovenia public broadcaster 1st to demand banning Israel from Eurovision over Gaza war |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/slovenia-public-broadcaster-1st-to-demand-banning-israel-from-eurovision-over-gaza-war/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=21 December 2024}}</ref> while Irish broadcaster [[RTÉ]], Spanish broadcaster [[RTVE]] and Flemish Belgian broadcaster [[VRT (broadcaster)|VRT]] called for a wider discussion among EBU members regarding Israel's participation.<ref name="eurovision-israel">{{cite news |title=Ireland asks Eurovision host EBU for discussion over Israel’s involvement |url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/05/08/ireland-asks-eurovision-host-ebu-for-discussion-over-israels-involvement |work=Euronews |date=8 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Grunewald |first=Moonray |date=9 May 2025 |title=VRT steunt vraag voor debat over deelname van Israël aan Eurovisiesongfestival |trans-title=VRT supports request for debate on Israel's participation in Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/05/09/vrt-debat-deelname-israel-eurovisiesongfestival-ebu/ |access-date=10 May 2025 |work=[[VRT NWS]]}}</ref> The EBU responded to RTVE's letter, acknowledging "concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East" but reiterating that all EBU members are eligible to compete.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ebu.ch/news/2025/04/statement-from-ebu-in-response-to-letter-from-rtve-regarding-kan-participation-in-eurovision-song-contest-2025|title=Statement from EBU in response to letter from RTVE regarding Kan's participation in Eurovision Song Contest 2025|date=11 April 2025|publisher=[[European Broadcasting Union]] (EBU)}}</ref> In a statement, Eurovision director Martin Green said: "The EBU is not immune to global events but, together, with our members, it is our role to ensure the contest remains – at its heart – a universal event that promotes connections, diversity and inclusion through music."<ref name="eurovision-israel"/>

In May 2025, more than 70 former Eurovision contestants signed an open letter to the EBU calling for Israel to be excluded, including former winners [[Charlie McGettigan]] and [[Salvador Sobral]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/05/06/former-eurovision-contestants-call-for-israel-and-broadcaster-kan-to-be-banned|title= Former Eurovision contestants call for Israel and broadcaster KAN to be banned|date=6 May 2025|publisher=[[Euronews]]|first=David |last=Mouriquand}}</ref>