Eurovision 2012 – According to the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper, Azerbaijan has portrayed Frankfurt as a “seedy city rife with homelessness, drug-use and prostitution”. Germany attacked Azerbiajan on their human rights records earlier this year. Azerbaijani human right activist Rasul Jafarov said there is now “a real smear campaign against Germany going on” in retaliation.
According to the German newspaper, Azerbaijani state television channel AZTV showed Frankfurt as a ‘city of sin’ talking of tramps, junkie and sex-workers. Television pictures were shown of the seedy district around the city’s train station and the “Occupy” protest camp outside the European Central Bank.
German newspapers had unsuccessfully called on musicians and viewers to boycott this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Baku. The Germans have a large role to play however this year, with Stefan Raab’s company producing the TV show, and German construction firms have helped build the new Crystal Hall..
The Frankfurter Rundschau claimed that Azerbaijani state media has also tried to discredit Markus Löning, who has repeatedly criticized Azerbaijan’s poor record on press freedom, calling him a ‘drunkard who had had sex with a local civil rights activist’.
Although the Eurovision Song Contest tries to remain politically neutral, it isn’t always that simple. We’re sure that all this can be put to one side in Baku next month though and everyone regardless of their country will have an amazing Eurovision in Azerbaijan.
Source: The Frankfurter Rundschau
The participation of Azerbaijan has changed ESC for sure …
Yes, never again we hope.
What a drama!!! it must be a very late April fool LOL
So no points to Azerbaijan from Germany this year? LOL
wrong, no points from azerbaijan to germany
Vote here:
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22FDTMEX9ER – thanks!
Haha, humour! This sounds like taken from a South Park episode.
Well known notorious enemy wants to undermine both Germany and Azerbaijan.
Long live German Azeri Friendship!
Well they mentioned the unmentionable, we are all supposed to think that Azerbaijan is a wonderful country where everyone is free and happy. Of course Eurovision isn’t supposed to be about politics, but this is the very country that dragged politics into the contest for point scoring against its enemy. It’s also ironic that a country which has such a poor record on gay rights has been so desperate to host one of the biggest gay events of the year. But why no gay parade if things are so free and equal for everyone?
You have distorted and wrong information about Azerbaijan. Maybe it will change after your visit to this country.
Firstly, German mass media began to slander a campaign against Azerbaijan. It is unbelievable that these mass media are concerned about human rights in Azerbaijan or how there is being prepared for the Eurovision. All this campaign is a part of a large company to blackmail Azerbaijan and the reason is gas. Precisely, Azerbaijan’s unwillingness to give its natural resources to German companies for pennies.
I do not understand what some people are surprised at? From the very beginning of the year, the German media have started a campaign against Azerbaijan and resorted to unfair ways. It would be strange if the Azerbaijani side failed to respond it.
Just recall the biased article in the Spiegel.
The New Year has brought new surprises from our foes, to say the least. Case in point, the introduction and misrepresentation of Azerbaijan in the first days of 2012 in the article by Ralf Neukirch, “A Dictator’s Dream. Azerbaijan Seeks to Burnish Image Ahead of Eurovision”. First thing that came to my mind when I saw the article title was whether the author understands the meaning of the word dictator. Turns out he did, hence the heading obviously written in gonzo-journalism style to attract readers` attention. I used to think serious and reputable publications usually refrained from utilizing these methods. I was also assured that it was impossible to publish biased articles in popular European newspapers. Little did I know. My beliefs were first disproved by the French media, and now Spiegel.
http://gulustan.ws/2012/01/der-spiegel-assumes-the-role-of-propaganda-leaflet/
Gooo Germany!!! I love you!
Take part in my Eurovision 2012 Prediction Poll please! It’s just for fun and I’ll post the results up when it’s done. Thanks! http://tummiweb.com/scorewiz/rsvp/40021/qWjhA
Germany 12 points – Azerbaijan 0/ZERO