After the first Semi-Final, we sadly found out that the Chinese Mango TV censored the Irish performance and partially the announcement of Albania’s qualification. They’ve also censored the LGBT flag while broadcasting.

The ban was because of Chinese rules – they “specifically requires that programs should not feature actors with tattoos [or depict] hip hop culture, sub-culture (non-mainstream culture) and dispirited culture (decadent culture)”.

Today EBU stated:

“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. 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.”

Author: Bogdan-Stefan Fedeles

Source: EBU