China banned from broadcasting Eurovision after censoring semi-final performances

“This is not in line with the EBU’s values of universality and inclusivity and our proud tradition of celebrating diversity through music."

Eurovision

Source: Eurovision

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has severed ties with China's Mango TV after the Chinese broadcaster censored two semi-final performances earlier this week - including Ireland's performance from .

O'Shaughnessy's performance of his song "Together" included a touching performance by interpretive dancers Kevin O’Dwyer and Alan McGrath.

The performance has earned Ireland a spot in the Eurovision Grand Final for the first time in five years.
In an , the EBU said: “On the 9th of May, Chinese broadcaster Mango TV broadcast the first Semi-Final of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest live but two performances were censored."

The statement continued: “This is not in line with the EBU’s values of universality and inclusivity and our proud tradition of celebrating diversity through music."
“It is with regret that we will therefore immediately be terminating our partnership with the broadcaster and they will not be permitted to broadcast the second Semi-Final or the Grand Final.”

O'Shaughnessy said he was pleased with the EBU's decision to take immediate action over the censorship.

“I would like to welcome the decision by the EBU to do that because from the very start we have just said love is love," he said during an interview on BBC Four.
He continued: “It doesn’t matter whether it’s between two guys and two girls or a guy and a girl."

“I think it’s a really important decision by the EBU, they haven’t taken it lightly, and I think it’s a move in the right direction – I’m happy about it.”

O'Shaughnessy previously competed on Britain’s Got Talent in 2012 and later appeared on The Voice of Ireland.

You can watch Ryan O'Shaughnessy's semi-final performance below:

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Published 11 May 2018 11:37am
Updated 11 May 2018 11:43am
By Samuel Leighton-Dore


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