Eurovision Song Contest 2009:
Georgian song lyrics do not comply with rules
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has officially informed Georgian public broadcaster GPB that the lyrics of their song for the 54th Eurovision Song Contest 'We Don't Wanna Put In' do not comply with the rules of the competition. The EBU Reference Group of the Eurovision Song Contest has now offered GPB the opportunity to either re-write the lyrics of the song, or to select another song for the contest. This year’s contest will be hosted by Channel One Russia and will take place on 12, 14 and 16 May at the Olympiyski Arena in Moscow.
Geneva 10 March 2009 - Today, the Reference Group* of the Eurovision Song Contest announced that the title and lyrics of the selected Georgian entry for this year’s Contest do not comply with Section 4 Rule 9 of the Rules of the 54th Eurovision Song Contest, and cannot take part in the competition as such.
According to these rules:
• 4.9 The lyrics and/or performance of the songs shall not bring the Shows or the Eurovision Song Contest as such into disrepute. No lyrics, speeches, gestures of a political or similar nature shall be permitted during the Eurovision Song Contest. No swearing or other unacceptable language shall be allowed in the lyrics or in the performances of the songs. No commercial messages of any kind shall be allowed. A breach of this rule may result in disqualification.
The EBU Reference Group has officially offered GPB the opportunity to select another song, or to change the lyrics of the selected song in such a way that it complies with the Rules. The deadline is the 16th of March, when all represented countries will officially hand in their selected entry to the European Broadcasting Union.
----------
Notes for editors:
*About the Reference Group
The Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group is the executive Expert Committee for all Members, its purpose being to control and guide the Eurovision Song Contest. The Reference Group was established by the European Broadcasting Union's Television Committee in 1998 and its main tasks are approving the development and future format of the Eurovision Song Contest, securing the financing, modernizing the brand and raising awareness and overseeing the yearly preparation by the Host Broadcaster.
The Reference Group meets four to five times each year on behalf of all Participating Broadcasters, and is required to take decisions in the general interest of the Eurovision Song Contest. The Reference Group is composed of a Chairman, three elected members of the Entertainment Experts Group of the EBU, two Executive Producers from previous host countries, as well as the Executive Producer of the current Host Broadcaster and the EBU Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor. More information here.
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition for active Members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) - the public broadcasters in their respective countries. The first contest was held in Lugano, Switzerland in 1956. Since then, the contest has become a true European tradition. In 2009, the contest will be held in Moscow, Russia, celebrating its 54th anniversary. News and information about the Eurovision Song Contest is available on: www.eurovision.tv
Eurovision TV is a brand of the EBU – the European Broadcasting Union The Geneva-based EBU is the largest professional association of national broadcasters in the world. It serves 75 active Members in 56 countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East together with 43 associate Members around the world. The organisation operates the Eurovision and Euroradio networks. The EBU offers its Members technical, operational and legal services, and coordinates a growing supply of quality content for radio, television and new platforms. It works to secure recognition of the crucial role of public service broadcasters in the digital audiovisual landscape. More information on: www.ebu.ch
Press contact:
Sietse Bakker
Manager Communications & PR
Eurovision Family of Events
Phone: +372 712 00 20
Email: sietse.bakker@eurovision.tv
