Comment: Yle forbade artists to comment on participation in Eurovision so they could focus on UMK

When in a tight spot, you have to try to divert attention from an unpleasant matter to something else, you should choose a clear message in advance to repeat to the media asking for comments.

At best, the strategy works well, but if the same message is repeated almost word for word many times, it starts to seem funny.

That’s why many Finns still remember how the then chairman of the Sdp Jutta Urpilainen repeated in the 2008 municipal elections amid a poor election result at least nine timeshow “at the very beginning he wants to thank everyone who voted for Sdp”.

Case came to mind when I watched Yle, for example Published on Instagram interviews with the artists participating in this year’s New Music competition.

Supplier Sara Salmi asked each performer if, in the event that UMK wins, they are “somehow prepared for the fact that Israel’s participation in Eurovision and protesting against it will be a big deal this year as well”.

Many of the answers were almost identical. In this style:

“Yes, we have discussed it a lot, but at the moment we are focusing on the New Music competition,” commented the Komiat group.

“What is happening in that world shocks me very deeply. Now I just wanted to focus my energy on this UMK”, stated Etta.

“I feel like at this point I’m not sure – or I can’t answer that question because I’m so focused on UMK,” said Blue Monte.

“I know it’s going to be a massive topic to deal with. Right now I’m just going to focus on putting on a great show at UMK,” said Chachi Hildén.

It became clear.

in Gaza of the outbreak of war and About the intensification of Israel protests since Yle has wanted to emphasize UMK’s status as a separate competition, which would be organized despite Eurovision.

That would certainly be the case, because in the 2020s UMK has grown into one of the highlights of the Finnish music and television year.

But the facts are the facts: The new music competition would not have been born without the need to find an annual Eurovision representative for Finland. The competition is already directly connected to Eurovision in its rules. The winner commits to represent Finland this spring in Vienna.

Therefore, it is completely logical to ask the artists participating in UMK what they think about the decision of several countries to boycott Eurovision this year and whether they intend to represent Finland in Vienna when they win UMK.

This is exactly what Yle wanted to prevent this year at the artist announcement event. Responsible for UMK’s communications Juhani Lassila asked the mediathat the question about participating in Eurovision would only be asked when the winner is known.

“Let’s leave that politics to a little less, if possible,” said Lassila.

“If you don’t want to go to Eurovision, Yle won’t force you.”

A similar request had been made already in 2022 in the UMK finalwhich took place just after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Russia’s exclusion from Eurovision was not yet confirmed, and journalists were asked at the press conference to “leave political issues out”.

Wednesday night Iltalehti was amazed UMK’s chief producer in his story Anssi Aution comments: Autio had told Iltalehti that the UMK winner will of course end up in Eurovision, as the rules say. Instead, he told Ilta-Sanom that the winner has the option to refuse representation.

For HS, Autio clarifies his point of view.

“If you think about the possible situation in more detail, of course we don’t force anyone to perform anywhere. That’s the human side as opposed to committing to a contract. If you don’t want to go to Eurovision, Yle doesn’t force you.”

Deserted says that Yle has tried to take from it announced liability about taking care of the artists’ situation by removing the obligation from the artists to comment on their intention to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest.

“Artists can now rely on the fact that Yle has forbidden them to comment on whether they intend to participate in Eurovision if they win the competition. This way they can currently focus purely on the New Music competition. After winning, the winner can say how they plan to continue moving forward.”

It is a kind of communication strategy. Yle’s hope is that until the end of February, Finns can focus on a nice domestic music competition that has nothing to do with e.g. government-led vote fishing with.

The situation is difficult for many artists as well. UMK has proven to be a great place to get a boost for a domestic career. That is why it attracts hundreds of applicants. But at the same time, you get a lot of social media criticism about why you join the Eurovision Song Contest.

On the other hand, there are enough supporters. The situation is particularly embarrassing Antti Paalanenwho has previously himself signed a petition about Finland’s Eurovisa boycott.

After UMK, six out of seven can enjoy the radio play their song may receive and the increasing demand for gigs. One ends up answering the questions that currently cannot be answered.