Malta at Eurovision 2025: After disqualifying the central word in Malta’s song “Kant”, the Maltese national broadcaster decided on a series of actions against the EBU, primarily appealing the controversial decision.
The controversy continues: This week, Malta’s representative Miriana Conte announced that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) decided to ban the use of a word from the song, which also serves as the song’s title, “Kant” (in Maltese: “Song”). Now, the Maltese national broadcaster PBS announces that it is initiating appeal procedures against the EBU’s decision, which it defines as discriminatory and unfair.
Official Response and Legal Action
PBS has sent an official letter to the EBU expressing its disappointment and strong opposition to the decision made by Eurovision’s supervising body, the “Reference Group,” to censor the Maltese word “Kant”. This group includes representatives from several participating Eurovision countries and serves as a governing body making decisions regarding the competition. PBS described the decision as “unfair, unbalanced, and discriminatory”.
The Maltese national broadcaster confirmed that it plans to appeal to the chairman of the EBU Television Committee to challenge what it calls an “arbitrary ruling”. PBS accuses the EBU of censorship and discrimination against the Maltese language and people, claiming that the decision implements Eurovision rules unfairly and inconsistently compared to previous contests.
Legal and Practical Steps
PBS also stated that it plans to take legal action against the EBU on Swiss soil, the home country of the European Broadcasting Union (and the host country of Eurovision 2025). In this move, PBS plans to appeal to Swiss courts and argue against the EBU’s decision, which it describes as an “abuse of power and unfair application of rules”.
However, to participate in Eurovision 2025 as planned and prepare for all possible scenarios without having to withdraw or be disqualified from the upcoming competition, the Maltese national broadcaster confirmed that it is working simultaneously to modify the song by removing the word “Kant” to comply with the EBU’s decision.
The deadline for submitting songs for Eurovision 2025, which will take place in Basel this May, is Monday, March 10th. It is still unknown whether Malta will receive an extension to submit a revised song, as the decision to disqualify the word “Kant” from the Maltese song was made in a tight and short timeframe to prepare comfortably.
The EBU’s response to the Maltese national broadcaster’s claims has not yet been received but is expected to be published soon. The fate of the Maltese song remains uncertain – while the Maltese team is working to change the song and adapt it to the European Broadcasting Union’s guidelines, the decision may be reversed or softened following PBS’s complaint.
Malta in Eurovision 2025
“Kant” (Singing) is the title of the song to be performed by Miriana Conte, who will represent Malta in the second semi-final of Eurovision 2025 on May 15 in Basel, Switzerland. The song was co-written by the singer alongside Benjamin Schmid, Matthew Mercieca, and Sarah Evelyn Fullerton. Schmid has previously written numerous entries for Malta’s national Eurovision selections and co-authored the winning song of Junior Eurovision 2015, “Not My Soul.” Mercieca contributed to Malta’s Eurovision entries in 2015 and 2018. This marks Schmid and Fullerton’s first Eurovision entry and Mercieca’s third. The song is performed in English.
The song advocates for freedom of expression and breaking societal constraints, emphasizing independence and female empowerment. It begins with an invitation to reveal an intimate, perhaps provocative, secret and transitions into describing a stifling environment that suppresses individuality. The chorus serves as a call to action and presence, expressing the protagonist’s ability to influence reality and encouraging others to shed inhibitions and follow her rhythm. The song concludes with a reinforcement of its message to live and express oneself freely.
Currently, Malta is ranked 14th on the betting odds ahead of Eurovision 2025.
Miriana Conte – Who is she?
Miriana Conte is a Maltese singer, specializing in soul and R&B. Miriana began her career on the “X Factor” Malta, like many other singers in the country. The program previously served as a format for selecting the Maltese representative for Eurovision. Miriana also competed in the Maltese Eurovision National Selection in 2022 and 2024 but did not achieve high results.
Source: TVM.
Eurovision 2025: This will be Malta’s 37th participation in Eurovision. Malta joined the competition in 1971 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2002 and Eurovision 2005 after finishing second twice.
