Judge's ruling clears way for Eurosong entries choice

A request to stop the short-listing of entries for next year's Eurosong contest was thrown out by a court yesterday, paving the way for the selection process to continue.

The court dismissed an application filed by former Maltasong chairman and record label owner Grace Borg for an injunction against the contest organiser, Public Broadcasting Services (PBS). The issue was over a condition precluding foreign artistes, songwriters and composers from taking part in the local contest unless they have dual citizenship, one of which being Maltese.

Ms Borg, in representation of Maltese singers, songwriters and composers, claimed the move was discriminatory and that it was unfair to exclude so many people from the contest, especially when networking with foreign composers could benefit local singers. She argued that, as things stood, a Maltese singer could not compete with a song composed or penned by a foreigner.

The matter of foreign participation has been a sticking point for years. In 2005, the Union of Maltese Composers and Authors had threatened to boycott the contest if foreign composers and authors were allowed to compete in the Maltese festival. A compromise was later found thanks to a reciprocity clause through which composers from countries that allowed Maltese participants in their contests were able to take part. Ms Borg had resigned over the wording of that compromise agreement, insisting it should have been simplified.

The issue resurfaced again now, just a few months before the Eurosong Festival is due to be held to choose Malta's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest taking place in Finland in May.

Presided over by Mr Justice Joseph Micallef, the Civil Court ruled that Ms Borg had no legal basis to request an injunction. People filing a request for an injunction had to prove they were interested parties and that their rights were being violated by what they were trying to stop.

Mr Justice Micallef said such link had not been proved and that Ms Borg had other legal means through which to claim damages.