On Tuesday, Russian authorities formally designated the German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle as an “undesirable organization,” leading to a ban on its operations within the country. This classification places Deutsche Welle among entities prohibited under Russian law, with involvement in such organizations—including sharing their content—deemed a criminal offense.
The decision to add Deutsche Welle to the Justice Ministry’s list of undesirable organizations was announced on Saturday by lawmaker Vasily Piskaryov, who chairs the parliamentary commission focused on foreign interference in Russian matters. Piskaryov criticized Deutsche Welle’s training programs, alleging that they were aimed at producing “disinformation specialists.”
Barbara Massing, the Director General of Deutsche Welle, condemned this designation as another attempt by the Russian government to repress independent media. She stated, “We will continue to report independently on the war of aggression against Ukraine and other topics about which little information is available in Russia, so that people can form their own opinions.” This pledge underscores the broadcaster’s commitment to providing diverse and reliable information, particularly regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Prior to this latest development, the Russian Foreign Ministry had already shut down Deutsche Welle’s Moscow office in early February 2022, just before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine commenced. This action came as retaliation for Germany’s decision to impose restrictions on Russia’s state-funded RT TV network. As a result, accreditation for Deutsche Welle’s staff in Russia was also revoked, marking a significant deterioration in the relationship between the two countries concerning media operations.
Deutsche Welle serves as Germany’s international public broadcaster, financed through taxpayer contributions while maintaining editorial independence. The organization offers content in 32 languages, reaching a global audience. Its commitment to accuracy and independent reporting stands in stark contrast to the increasing restrictions imposed by the Russian government.
The crackdown on freedom of expression in Russia has escalated dramatically since the invasion of Ukraine, affecting not only journalists and independent news outlets but also vocal critics of the Kremlin. The Kremlin’s suppression includes jailing activists and closing down organizations that challenge government narratives.
Currently, Russia's list of "undesirable organizations" encompasses over 275 entities, which includes notable independent news platforms such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, various think tanks like Chatham House, the anti-corruption organization Transparency International, and environmental advocacy groups like WWF. The broad scope of this list reflects the intensified censorship and control the Russian government seeks to enforce in an effort to stifle dissent and maintain its grip on public discourse.
