BBC Panorama - Eurovision's Dirty Secret

[Matt]

oh i remember! actually at the time i thought why the EBU didnt did anything about that...

It was more a slap on the wrist and a minor (I believe undisclosed) penalty fee.

 

[ukboy]

It was more a slap on the wrist and a minor (I believe undisclosed) penalty fee.

The penalty being that they would have to wait two years before they could buy a win. ...Did I say that out loud. I hope I don't get arrested.

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

Disgraceful. You cant believe some of the things that happen to people - a man shot dead in his house, woman had secret cameras put in her bedroom, man imprisoned for dressing up as a donkey. The family have clearly hijacked Eurovision - son-in-law performing during the final is disgusting. As usual the EBU is inactive and takes a do nothing approach.
We have a responsibility to stand up for human rights and liberties.

 

[QwaarJet]

If Azerbaijan by chance win ESC again this year, EBU must step in to prevent them from hosting it. It is an absolute disgrace.

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

^ Totally agree. The EBU are yellow-bellies though, they know the terrible things happening but seem prepared to let it continue under their watch...
Imo, Italy should have been given the hosting rights for 2012!

 

[QwaarJet]

I actually wish I hadn't watched that programme, man. It just pissed me off so much, and I've lost some enthusiasm for the contest. I just feel sorry for the people getting beaten up for airing their views.

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

I have lost enthusiasm too! What makes me more mad is when people dismiss it, or consider us the bad guys for standing up for people's rights!

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

Here's a clip from the show regarding the 2009 voting incident. This man happened to be one of the people who got off the lightest by going against the regime.

The EBU woman says it's unacceptable but did nothing about it!

 

[Yamarus]

Part of me wishes that such controversy will lead to more transparency in the functioning of the EBU. The reason why it goes on is that nobody really cares.

 

[ukboy]

Do you think some of the azerbajani members are on this website are here as a way to promote their country. As in they form part of the police/governmnet or something to monitor what is being said about them.

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

Do you think some of the azerbajani members are on this website are here as a way to promote their country. As in they form part of the police/governmnet or something to monitor what is being said about them.

Quite possibly! Id never have thought of that but wow it's probably true!! I know the reason that they will not speak against the regime there is because it could be dangerous for them (and I totally sympathise with that). That is why it is important that those of us in free countries speak up for them!

 

[Matt]

I came across this article

The head of the European Broadcasting Union said the contest helped put Azerbaijan under the spotlight. “The fact is that journalists are not going to ignore (the country) but to look,” said Ingrid Deltenre. She revealed that the EBU has asked the Azeri government for an explanation following reports that journalists had been arrested.
More people were held during a pro-democracy protest on Monday. Azerbaijan has accused human rights groups of spreading lies about the country.
The EBU has revealed joint plans with the Council of Europe for an autumn conference in Baku to evaluate progress on human rights.

Full Article:

http://www.euronews.com/2012/05/22/eurovision-in-azerbaijan-human-rights-pledge/

 

[Farahim]

Quite possibly! Id never have thought of that but wow it's probably true!! I know the reason that they will not speak against the regime there is because it could be dangerous for them (and I totally sympathise with that). That is why it is important that those of us in free countries speak up for them!

Dude where is the respect? Who said it is dangerous. I agree it is not that freedom. However, we are happy. I lived in New York City. "Freedom land" . When someone protest against government.. oh god you must see that.. police bits them, puts on jail... Is that call freedom? really?

Please be respect each country, at least it is not yours business!

@matt i don't understant you sometimes.. when we discuss similar topic. You force us to stop... now what happen?

 

[Matt]

I'm quoting an article related to an official statement made by the EBU. That's hardly considered stirring the pot. I was pointing out that the EBU will be discussing the issue and we should leave it at that.

 

[RainyWoods]

I missed my precious second helping of Coronation Street last night to watch this show instead.. and well it was really quite shocking. Azerbaijan shouldnt be hosting the contest this year. Not when all this terrible stuff is going on in the country. The woman who had camera's secretly fitted in her room and was then as a threat, sent pictures of herself having sex that were promised to be made public if she didnt keep her mouth shut... absolutely sickening.

Im not going to let this spoil this years Eurovision for me because ive never been more excited about the contest and songs before. It does really make you think though. I thought from the very beginning that a country that pulls the plug on anothers performance shouldnt be hosting the contest.

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

It proves what I said all along about Armenia/Azerbaijan was true!

 

[AzerAkhundov]

Quite possibly! Id never have thought of that but wow it's probably true!! I know the reason that they will not speak against the regime there is because it could be dangerous for them (and I totally sympathise with that). That is why it is important that those of us in free countries speak up for them!

There is no problem with internet in Azerbaijan. You can find many opposition web sites and blogs who criticize the government. Do you really think that by speaking against something in forums you can change it?

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

Well obviously Sir Aliyev thinks so, otherwise he wouldnt have imprisoned a young man for 2 1/2 years who dressed up as a donkey, would he? Or filmed a radio show host in her bedroom and released it into public. Clearly he feels threatened, he knows that one day freedom will bring him down and his repression.
He clearly isnt even knowledgable enough to know that propaganda doesnt wash in free countries, and that Eurovision will actually damage the reputation of Azerbaijan and himself in the eyes of the rest of Europe, because his crimes have become known to many millions more people than they were beforehand!

 

[Farahim]

Do you think some of the azerbajani members are on this website are here as a way to promote their country. As in they form part of the police/governmnet or something to monitor what is being said about them.

Dude looool, just lol... someone monitoring.... what they gonna do?

if you want to me to say f u c k goverment, here you go. I don't understant what you protecting?

or to who you protecting? to us and against whom?

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

^ You're in New York City :/