Earlier today, a group of artists, activists, and civil society organisations gathered outside the Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) headquarters to urge Malta’s national broadcaster to withdraw from this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
During a press conference held at the site, organisers argued that Malta should not participate in an event they claim has become complicit in normalising serious human rights violations, following the European Broadcasting Union’s decision to allow Israel to compete.
The protest was organised by Movement Graffiti in collaboration with figures from Malta’s arts scene. Speakers stressed that participating in Eurovision under the current circumstances sends the wrong message and called on PBS to take a principled stand by opting out of the contest.
The group also announced a national protest under the banner “Malta: No Music for Genocide”, scheduled for 21st February at 3 pm in front of Parliament, and urged the public to attend and show solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Organisers accused the Eurovision Song Contest of becoming a platform that overlooks widespread violence and civilian deaths in Gaza over the past two years, arguing that celebrating music while such events continue risks trivialising human suffering.
The activists further noted that several European countries have already distanced themselves from the contest, insisting that Malta has an opportunity to “be on the right side of history” by refusing to participate.
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Credit: Movement Graffitti via Facebook
