Eurovision 2018: Ireland’s Ryan O’Shaughnessy welcomes ban on Chinese broadcaster that ‘censored’ gay love story

Ireland’s Eurovision entrant Ryan O’Shaughnessy has welcomed the decision to strip a Chinese broadcaster of rights to air the contest – after they censored a gay love story.

It was reported on Thursday that Mango TV, which holds the rights to broadcast Eurovision in China, censored the semi-final performance of Ireland’s entry “Together,” which features two male dancers re-enacting a love story.

Mango TV, part of state-owned broadcaster Hunan TV, also allegedly blurred out rainbow flags being waved by people in the crowd at the event elsewhere in the show.

The European Broadcasting Union registered its objection by stripping Mango TV of its rights to the contest, and O’Shaughnessy welcomed the decision in an interview with the BBC.

Speaking to out presenter Rylan Clark-Neal during the second semi-final, the artist said: “I’d like to welcome the decision by the EBU to do that because from the very start we’ve said love is love… it doesn’t matter whether it’s between two guys, two girls or a guy and a girl.

“I think this is a really important decision by the EBU and they haven’t taken this lightly and I think it’s a move in the right direction so I’m happy about it.”

Clark-Neal responded, “I totally agree with you… this is Eurovision, it’s inclusive of every single person.”

The EBU said in a statement: “On the 9th of May, Chinese broadcaster Mango TV broadcast the first Semi-Final of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest live but two performances were censored.

“This is not in line with the EBU’s values of universality and inclusivity and our proud tradition of celebrating diversity through music.

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