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Jury rules tightened for 2014 Eurovision Song Contest

20 September 2013 at 12:00 CEST

Under the new rules, the names of all jury members will be announced on the 1st of May, before the contest. Additionally, EBU/EUROVISION will publish the ranking submitted by each individual jury member for all shows right after the Final, and thus the split results of jury voting and televoting for each country. To increase diversity, music industry professionals can only take a seat in a national jury if they have not been in the jury during one of the previous two editions of the contest.

DOWNLOAD THE RULES (PDF)

"Tighter rules and increased openness are important for the Eurovision Song Contest to build on its success," Jon Ola Sand, the Executive Supervisor of the contest on behalf of EBU/EUROVISION, adding: "to make sure participants, viewers and fans know that we have done and will always do our utmost to secure a fair result. These changes show that the Eurovision Song Contest is an ever evolving tradition, which continues to adapt to the spirit of time."

"Through this increased openness, we want to assure everyone - participants, press and fans - can come to understanding of how we obtain a valid result. With these changes, we hope to put an end to the kind of speculation we have recently seen," said Dr. Frank-Dieter Freiling, Chairman of the Reference Group.

Over the past months, EBU/EUROVISION has been investigating reports about alleged attempts to unfairly influence the voting. Sand: "If our investigation brings about evidence of wrongdoing, we will take the required action."

EBU/EUROVISION will open a section on the contest's official website where jury members and viewers at home can report voting irregularities, so they can be adequately investigated by the organisers, the contest's voting partner Digame and PwC, which is overseeing the voting procedure.

The contest's governing body on behalf of the participating broadcasters, the Reference Group, as well as the EBU's TV Committee unanimously approved the rules.

Earlier this year, Emmelie de Forrest won the 2013 contest with Only Teardrops, securing Denmark's right to host the next edition of the contest for public broadcaster DR. The contest will be held on the 6th, 8th and 10th of May, 2014 at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen under the slogan 'Join Us!' The list of represented countries will be issued in early January.