{
  "id": 3005363,
  "title": "Dutch broadcaster Avrotros pulls out of 2027 Eurovision Song Contest",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/dutch-broadcaster-avrotros-pulls-out-of-2027-eurovision-song-contest",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T10:54:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1kx3m2z332o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dutch broadcaster Avrotros has decided to withdraw from the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, citing concerns over neutrality amid ongoing military conflicts. The broadcaster expressed disappointment that the Eurovision Broadcasting Union (EBU) had not provided clear guidelines on which countries could participate. Avrotros highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and restrictions on press freedom as contributing factors to their decision. Despite the EBU's recent rule change disqualifying countries involved in armed conflicts from hosting the contest, Avrotros felt the changes did not restore confidence in the contest's independent nature. While Avrotros' withdrawal does not prohibit other Dutch broadcasters from participating, the Netherlands previously boycotted the 2023 contest in Vienna, Austria, over Israel's participation. The EBU acknowledged Avrotros' withdrawal but expressed hope for Dutch representation through another broadcaster. Avrotros' director emphasized the contest's original intent to unite people but stressed its current role in fostering division.",
  "summary": "It says contest can no longer be considered neutral while a participating country remains involved in a large-scale military conflict.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "The Netherlands will not participate in the 'no longer neutral' 2027 Eurovision Song Contest",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/the-netherlands-will-not-participate-in-the-no-longer-neutral-2027",
        "published": "2026-08-24T08:43:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Dutch say won't participate in 'no longer' neutral Eurovision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/dutch-say-wont-participate-in-no-longer-neutral-eurovision",
        "published": "2026-08-24T08:56:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Netherlands says Eurovision is ‘no longer’ neutral as it withdraws from 2027 contest over Gaza‑linked divisions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/netherlands-says-eurovision-is-no-longer-neutral-as-it-withdraws-from",
        "published": "2026-08-24T09:21:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Netherlands withdraws from ‘no longer’ neutral Eurovision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/netherlands-withdraws-from-no-longer-neutral-eurovision",
        "published": "2026-08-24T09:30:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Dutch public broadcaster to boycott ‘no longer’ neutral Eurovision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/dutch-public-broadcaster-to-boycott-no-longer-neutral-eurovision",
        "published": "2026-08-24T10:42:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Dutch say won’t participate in ‘no longer’ neutral Eurovision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/dutch-say-wont-participate-in-no-longer-neutral-eurovision-3017443",
        "published": "2026-08-24T11:34:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Tempo.co English",
        "title": "Dutch Pull Out of 'No Longer Neutral' Eurovision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/dutch-pull-out-of-no-longer-neutral-eurovision-3009935",
        "published": "2026-08-24T11:54:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}