Austria broadcaster rules out Eurovision censorship
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- Austria’s public broadcaster says it will not mute boos or ban permitted flags during Eurovision 2026 broadcasts.
- Claims circulating online about blanket coverage of protests and confirmed boycotts are inaccurate.
Austria’s public broadcaster and host of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, said it won't censor audience reactions during the event, according to statements reported by Reuters.
The programming director Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz said the broadcaster will not use artificial applause to cover boos during performances, emphasizing that ORF will broadcast events as they occur and adhere to journalistic standards.
Flags allowed under existing rules
Austria’s public broadcaster officials also confirmed that national flags will be allowed inside the venue as long as they comply with Eurovision rules on size, safety, and technical standards. This reflects existing European Broadcasting Union guidelines rather than a new policy, according to ORF statements.
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Following these statements, some media outlets and social media pages claimed that Austria’s public broadcaster had announced it would air all demonstrations during Eurovision 2026 and that several countries, including Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia, had withdrawn from the contest over ‘Israel’s’ participation.
These claims spread widely online without citing official ORF announcements or formal withdrawal notices.
What the facts show
Austria’s public broadcaster has not said it will broadcast every protest regardless of scale. The broadcaster’s confirmed position is limited to not muting boos, not banning permitted flags, and exercising editorial judgment to avoid exaggerating minor disturbances, According to Reuters.
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There is also no official confirmation from the European Broadcasting Union or national broadcasters that the countries named in online claims have formally withdrawn from Eurovision 2026.
Editorial judgment emphasized
Groiss-Horowitz said ORF would apply proportional coverage based on professional news values, rather than sensationalizing isolated incidents, a position confirmed in coverage by Euronews.
What comes next
As preparations continue for Eurovision 2026, Austria’s public broadcaster said it will coordinate with the European Broadcasting Union on broadcast and security arrangements, amid expectations of protests linked to ‘Israel’s’ participation.
