Eurovision Bribery Scandal Forces Major Rule Change

25 September 2013 | 11:57 am | Staff Writer

The alleged bribery is being investigate thoroughly.

Allegations of bribery in the ranks of the Eurovision Song Contest judges have forced the organization to make a major rule change to ensure a greater degree of transparency amongst the judges.

BBC News reports that judges from each country must now be announced before the event takes place instead of afterwards, which has been the case up until now.

Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, gave an interview to the Eurovision website in which he assures fans of the event that they are doing everything in their power to ensure a fair result in the contest.

“Tighter rules with increased transparency are important for the Eurovision Song Contest to build on its success,” he 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.”

Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter

The decision to make the names of the judges public before the event will put further pressure on judges to remain true to their legitimate preferences and not be tempted by bribes or pressure from external forces.

“I even believe the increased transparency, and the fact that their votes are on display, will help them vote independently,” Ola Sand said.

As well as this change, each judge's score will be published immediately following the event and people are ineligible to judge if they have done so in either of the previous two contests.

The changes come in the midst of bribery allegations that Eurovision are presently investigating regarding the Azerbaijan entry, which placed second.

Speculation of the representatives from the country offering financial reward to judges in return for votes has been rife and Eurovision organisers are said to be thoroughly investigating the claims, though Ola Sand said their focus will be more on preventing further infractions moreso than punishing past improprieties.

“We want to first put an end to these speculations, and clamp down on attempts to unfairly influence the voting.”