2026-04-14
24 分钟Welcome to The Inquiry from the BBC World Service with me, Daniel Rosny.
Each week, one question, four expert witnesses and an answer.
December 2025.
Representatives from public service broadcasters are gathered in Geneva,
Switzerland to discuss the Eurovision Song Contest,
the world's largest live music event and one of the most watched TV shows in the world.
A number of participating countries say they will withdraw if Israel is included in the 2026 competition.
Organisers try to appease the threat by proposing reforms designed to ensure the contest
remains a celebration of music and unity.
Those changes are approved and there's no vote on Israel's involvement.
Five countries, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, Spain and Slovenia, then all announce a boycott.
They explain their decision is because of Israel's war in Gaza.
This week on The Inquiry, we're asking how will countries boycotting Eurovision affect the contest?
The first Eurovision Song Contest began in 1956.
It 's an annual competition for members of the European Broadcasting Union,
the EBU, a community of public service media organisations.
Even smaller participants like San Marino and Cyprus gives a special taste to the Eurovision
because there are so many different nations.
That's why Eurovision is so interesting and important.
Today, each participating broadcaster, including the United Kingdom's BBC,