MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Few days ago a story leaked on German magazine Stern saying that the Reference Group asked the Russian national broadcasters (Channel One and RTR) if they can guarantee the safety and freedom of expression of the participants and fans during a potential hosting in their country.
The German magazine though forgot to mention that this letter was send on mid October and that Russia already replied few days afterwards; The person who leaked it of course forgot to mention that as for some it’s a big convay to see Russian image plundered in Eurovision 2014.
The letter of the Reference Group which was sent on behalf of EBU’s Executive Supervisor for Eurovision Song Contest Mr Jon Ola Sand asked in summary:
How the new legislation in Russia will affect the live broadcast of the semifinals and the final of Eurovision 2014 if that broadcast include artists performing in somehow homosexual behavior, setting as an example the Finnish kiss in 2013 Eurovision edition and how it would work in case Russia hosted the Eurovision Song Contest inland.
Will the new legislation in Russia for the gay propagana work somehow negative to the freedom of speech according to the European Convention of Human Rights?
The Russian national broadcasters didn’t reply to the local or international media but they replied to the EBU on October 20th but we still don’t know the answer and its details. what we know from the Russian portal Heat.ru is that on behalf of EBU, Mr Bakker claimed to have said that the European Broadcasting Union is now pleased and satisied with the Russian answer.
On the other hand Eurovision 2008 winner and two times participant, Dima Bilan said that the leak of the letter now is suspicious and creates lots of questions.
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