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EUROVISION SONG CONTEST TO BAN CHEATS FROM SHOW
7 February 2014 Last updated at 11:05 GMT
Azerbaijan, represented by Farid Mammadov, was at the centre of a
vote-rigging scandal last year
Countries found to be vote-rigging at the Eurovision Song Contest
will face bans of up to three years, organisers have said.
The announcement follows an investigation into attempts to influence
the voting in favour of Azerbaijan during last year's contest.
Organisers confirmed rigging attempts were detected by its security
systems, but the votes were declared invalid.
It added there was no evidence to link Azeri broadcasters to the
activity.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said as there was also no
evidence to suggest Ictimai TV was aware of the attempt, no sanctions
would be imposed.
Allegations of vote-fixing arose after Azerbaijan failed to award
any points to neighbouring Russia.
It prompted Azeri President Ilham Aliyev to order an inquiry, as
traditionally ex-Soviet republics have regularly given each other
top marks.
There were also claims of attempts in Lithuania to buy votes for
Azerbaijan's entry.
'Fair result'
It is hoped tightening rules will "strengthen the credibility of the
voting and protect the Eurovision Song Contest brand".
The contest's governing body, known as the Reference Group, said if
voting irregularities are detected before, during or after the contest
in favour of any country, it would automatically initiate procedures
against the country's broadcaster.
"Just as football clubs are, in principle, accountable for the
behaviour of their fans, we will hold - on a case-by-case basis -
participating broadcasters accountable and make them responsible
to prevent voting irregularities in favour of their entry," said Dr
Frank Dieter Freiling, chairman of the Reference Group.
EBU executor Jon Ola Sand added: "It's our goal to do the best we
can to assure a fair and correct result.
"We know that audiences in Europe want a fair result and vote with
their best intentions, but in nearly every competition, there are
attempts to cheat. It's our job to spot and stop these attempts."
The new rule follows the announcement last September that each
country's jury will now be revealed ahead of each year's contest in
an effort to increase openness and accountability.
Previously, the identity of jury members - whose votes account for 50%
of the total score awarded to competing countries - was not disclosed
until after the final.
This year's contest will take place in Copenhagen on 10 May.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26081002
7 February 2014 Last updated at 11:05 GMT
Azerbaijan, represented by Farid Mammadov, was at the centre of a
vote-rigging scandal last year
Countries found to be vote-rigging at the Eurovision Song Contest
will face bans of up to three years, organisers have said.
The announcement follows an investigation into attempts to influence
the voting in favour of Azerbaijan during last year's contest.
Organisers confirmed rigging attempts were detected by its security
systems, but the votes were declared invalid.
It added there was no evidence to link Azeri broadcasters to the
activity.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said as there was also no
evidence to suggest Ictimai TV was aware of the attempt, no sanctions
would be imposed.
Allegations of vote-fixing arose after Azerbaijan failed to award
any points to neighbouring Russia.
It prompted Azeri President Ilham Aliyev to order an inquiry, as
traditionally ex-Soviet republics have regularly given each other
top marks.
There were also claims of attempts in Lithuania to buy votes for
Azerbaijan's entry.
'Fair result'
It is hoped tightening rules will "strengthen the credibility of the
voting and protect the Eurovision Song Contest brand".
The contest's governing body, known as the Reference Group, said if
voting irregularities are detected before, during or after the contest
in favour of any country, it would automatically initiate procedures
against the country's broadcaster.
"Just as football clubs are, in principle, accountable for the
behaviour of their fans, we will hold - on a case-by-case basis -
participating broadcasters accountable and make them responsible
to prevent voting irregularities in favour of their entry," said Dr
Frank Dieter Freiling, chairman of the Reference Group.
EBU executor Jon Ola Sand added: "It's our goal to do the best we
can to assure a fair and correct result.
"We know that audiences in Europe want a fair result and vote with
their best intentions, but in nearly every competition, there are
attempts to cheat. It's our job to spot and stop these attempts."
The new rule follows the announcement last September that each
country's jury will now be revealed ahead of each year's contest in
an effort to increase openness and accountability.
Previously, the identity of jury members - whose votes account for 50%
of the total score awarded to competing countries - was not disclosed
until after the final.
This year's contest will take place in Copenhagen on 10 May.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26081002