Austrian singer and Eurovision Song Contest 2014 winner Conchita Wurst performs during the finals of the TV show 'Our Star For Austria' on March 5, 2015 in Hanover, Germany.Websites in Russia could be blocked from broadcasting the Eurovision Song Contest in May because of a recent tightening of anti-LGBT legislation that prohibits “propaganda about non-traditional sexual relations,” says Roskomnadzor, the Russian national media watchdog.
Russian officials and legislators have long accused Eurovision of promoting homosexuality. But in December, Russia adopted a law under which Roskomnadzor has the right to block any online resources that could be allegedly considered as “LGBT propaganda” or promoting pedophilia or a sex change.
Finding “LGBT propaganda” in Eurovision, which takes place May 9-13 in Liverpool, United Kingdom, may not be a difficult task, as Russian officials and legislators have for years accused the contest of promoting “non-traditional sexual relations,” which, they claim, contradicts Russian national values.
Ordinary Russians have been avid viewers of Eurovision, especially since Russian pop singer Dima Bilan won the 2008 edition with the song “Believe.” Alexander Rybak, a Belarusian-Norwegian Russian speaker,This year, however, the contest won’t be aired on any national television channels in Russia. Last year, the European Broadcasting Union , which runs Eurovision,over its invasion of Ukraine.
The Eurovision final will be still available online across the globe, including in Russia — unless the Russian government bans the show under the new law.
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