BBC News, 23
September 2013
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Stories
Next year's Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark |
From next
year, the names of each country's jury will be revealed ahead of the
competition in an effort to increase openness and accountability.
For the
first time, individual juror scores will also be published immediately after
the final.
The changes
come after it was alleged votes had been bought for the Azeri contestant at
this year's contest.
Previously,
the identity of jury members - whose votes account for 50% of the points each
country awards it competitors - was not disclosed until after the final.
To increase
diversity, music industry professionals can now only take a seat on the jury if
they have not participated during the previous two editions of the contest.
"Tighter
rules and increased openness are important for the Eurovision Song Contest to
build on its success," Jon Ola Sand, the executive supervisor of thecontest, said.
"We
want to make sure participants, viewers and fans know that we have done, and
will always do, our utmost to secure a fair result.
"We
believe in the independence of every jury member [and] I believe the fact their
votes are on display will help them vote independently."
'End
speculations'
Organisers
have been looking into recent claims that Azerbaijan - which came second this
year - offered money to other countries in exchange for points.
Emmelie de Forest won the contest for Denmark this year |
"It`s
important to find who is behind the alleged attempt, and if we find any
wrongdoing that originates from a participating broadcaster, the Reference
Group and the TV Committee will impose sanctions according to the rules of the
Eurovision Song Contest," he said.
"We
want to first put an end to these speculations, and clamp down on attempts to
unfairly influence the voting."
Last week,
Croatia announced it would be withdrawing from next year's contest, citing
financial reasons. The country has not qualified for the final since 2009.
It became
the sixth country to pull out, along with Andorra, Luxembourg, Monaco, Morocco
and Slovakia.
Meanwhile
Turkey - which snubbed the contest this year citing dissatisfaction with the
rules - has created its own rival to Eurovision.
Turkvision
will see 20 countries and autonomous regions populated with Turkic minorities
participate in the yearly event, the first of which will be held in Eskisehir
this December.
Next year's
Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, with the final
held on 10 May.
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