Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest have announced a new code of conduct and duty of care protocols to “protect” the welfare of artists following controversies at this year’s competition.

Ahead of the 2024 final in Malmö, Sweden, thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators demonstrated outside the arena against Israel competing in the middle of the Middle East war.

A few Eurovision acts also reported receiving threats, and there were controversy surrounding certain political statements before the final.

Nemo, the Swiss participant, was crowned the winner – but said after lifting the trophy that the experience had been “intense” and while they were “really sad” it was not just about “love and unity”.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has appointed an independent expert to review the competition.

Organizers have announced new measures for the 2025 event in Basel “to celebrate community and protect wellbeing”, which will include no filming areas in key arts areas, more closed-door rehearsals closed and the introduction of a social producer “to ensure a safe, respectful and supportive environment”.

They said in a statement: “The EBU is introducing a new code of conduct and duty of care protocol to ensure clear roles and responsibilities for everyone involved in the event.”

Agreeing to abide by the code of conduct will be a condition of accreditation, organizers said.

“The Duty of Care Protocol emphasizes the shared responsibility of the EBU, the host broadcaster and participating broadcasters in protecting artists from unnecessary physical or emotional distress.”

In the 2024 competition, the Israeli delegation was criticized by the candidates including Irish participant Bambie Thugwho openly expressed his pro-Palestinian views.

They accused Israeli TV channel Kan of breaking the rules, by calling for “violence.”

Kan claimed that he “faced immense pressure and an unprecedented display of hatred, including from other delegations and artists, publicly and collectively, simply because of the simple fact that we are Israelis and We were there.”

Israeli candidate Eden Golan told Sky News ahead of the event that she was focused on representing her nation with pride and that “nothing else really affected her” as protests took place at the outside.

There was also controversy surrounding Dutch participant Joost Klein, who was disqualified after allegedly making verbal threats to a production worker.

Klein’s criminal case was dropped by Swedish prosecutors in August.

Martin Green, the new director of the Eurovision Song Contest, appointed following this year’s controversies, said: “We are united by music – it is up to all of us to ensure that the Eurovision Song Contest remains an event that promotes unity, diversity and inclusion. “

Learn more:
Demonstrations and expulsion: the controversy in Malmö
Eurovision responds to candidates’ complaints

Earlier this year, the BBC announced that Sam Ryder’s manager, David May, would lead the search for the UK’s next Eurovision contestant.

Olly Alexander, who competed this year, came 18th out of 25, with 46 points from the judges – and “zero points” from the public vote.

The final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will take place on May 17 at the St Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland.