# Khabar Agency EBU membership bid

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/khabar-agency-ebu-membership-bid
> Updated: 2026-09-12T09:01:28.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

The Khabar Agency, a major media organization in Kazakhstan, applied for full membership in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to facilitate participation in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. The agency has been an associate member since 2016 and has previously participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest on an invitation basis.

The EBU subsequently rejected the application, stating that the agency does not meet the necessary criteria for full membership. Under EBU statutes, full membership is reserved for broadcasting organizations from countries within the ITU European Broadcasting Area, members of the Council of Europe, or countries holding formal observer status with the Council of Europe. 

Despite the rejection, the EBU noted that Kazakhstan could potentially participate as a special guest or as an associate member.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-12: Khabar Agency's Eurovision membership bid rejected by EBU

The European Broadcasting Union rejected Khabar Agency’s application for full membership, blocking Kazakhstan’s immediate path to participating in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/khabar-agencys-eurovision-membership-bid-rejected-by-ebu

### 2026-09-09: Khabar Agency applies for full EBU membership to join Eurovision 2027

Kazakhstan's Khabar Agency has applied for full EBU membership, aiming to debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/khabar-agency-applies-for-full-ebu-membership-to-join-eurovision-2027

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Cite as: Khabar Agency EBU membership bid. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/khabar-agency-ebu-membership-bid