The Dutch public television organization AVROTROS announced this Thursday that the Netherlands’ participation in Eurovision next year will depend on the implementation of “structural adjustments” to the festival. AVROTROS criticized the disqualification of the Dutch artistJoost Klein this year, calling it “unnecessary and disproportionate”.
They want new measures
AVROTROS, the station responsible for the Dutch participation in Eurovisionhighlighted the need for significant changes so that the festival “refocus on the artists and the musical message.” Until these adjustments are made, the possibility of Dutch participation will remain “under evaluation”. The organization noted that the investigation into the incident that led to Joost Klein’s disqualification “it is still pending in the Swedish prosecutor’s office” and regretted not being able to share details while the case remains under investigation, as this could influence the process. “We can say that, “Based on the information we had then and have now, we continue to believe that the disqualification was unnecessary and disproportionate.”stated AVROTROS.
Furthermore, AVROTROS received a request from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to participate in an investigation into what happened. “We have decided to cooperate with this, but with the necessary reservations,” the station explained. The organization requires a broader and more in-depth investigation, carried out by a recognized and independent agency, examining the working methods of the organization in Malmö, the EBU, and the Reference Group (committee of participating countries), as well as the rules, procedures and appeal options in case of complaints.
The gesture that changed everything
AVROTROS also stressed the need to investigate “the increased pressure on artists and delegations in the period before and during the festival” at this year’s edition in Malmö. “Eurovision was founded to connect countries and peoples through music and foster mutual brotherhood. This should be the starting point for the organizers and all participating countries,” said AVROTROS, leaving the participation of the Netherlands in the next edition of the festival on hold. Joost Klein was disqualified in this year’s semi-final, where he represented the Netherlands with his song “Europapa”, after a complaint about an incident backstage. According to AVROTROS, Klein would have done “a threatening gesture” towards a woman who was recording him without his consent, but the EBU stressed its policy of zero tolerance towards this behavior, preventing Klein from continuing at the festival.
