Russia has decided to add the German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) to its list of so-called “undesirable organizations,” a move that comes amid heightened tensions between Berlin and Moscow over the war in Ukraine.
According to Russia’s Ministry of Justice, the German media outlet has now been officially included on this list.
Russia designates organizations as “undesirable” if it claims they pose a threat to national security. Russian citizens who cooperate with or financially support such organizations can face prison sentences of up to five years.
DW Director General Barbara Massing stated that Russia’s decision will not deter the broadcaster. “This latest attempt to silence free media shows how little the Russian regime values press freedom and how much it fears independent reporting,” she said.
Massing added: “We will continue to report independently on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as on other issues about which information inside Russia is scarce, so that people can form their own opinions.”
