Russia Labels Deutsche Welle as 'Undesirable': A Blow to Press Freedom

In a significant escalation of its crackdown on independent journalism, Russia has officially labeled Deutsche Welle (DW) an 'undesirable organization.' This move was condemned by the German broadcaster and Berlin officials as yet another attempt to suppress free expression within the country. Under a controversial law enacted in 2015, individuals affiliated with organizations deemed undesirable can face fines or jail sentences of up to six years. The law criminalizes any cooperation with such organizations and even the sharing of their content across social media. The announcement came on a Saturday, as Russian lawmaker Vasily Piskaryov, who chairs a parliamentary commission focused on foreign interference, revealed that DW has now been added to the Russian Justice Ministry's blacklist. In response, DW's Director General Barbara Massing stated, "This is another indication of the Kremlin's desire to abolish any form of opinion that diverges from its own." Despite being branded as undesirable, Massing asserted, "This latest attempt to silence free media underscores the Russian regime's blatant disregard for press freedom and exhibits its fear of its own citizens. We will not be deterred." It is not the first time DW has faced pressure in Russia; the broadcaster had already been declared a 'foreign agent' in 2022 and endured a broadcast ban prior to that designation. Its Moscow studio was forced to relocate, and the website was blocked across various languages throughout Russia. Nevertheless, DW claims that its Russian-language services have reached an unprecedented audience, with around 10 million weekly users engaging predominantly through video content as of early 2025. Massing emphasized, "We will continue to report independently on the war of aggression against Ukraine and other vital topics that are often ignored within Russia to ensure that people can form their own opinions." The ramifications of this designation were also noted in Berlin, where government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius articulated that the action reveals a fundamental fear within Russian authorities concerning the availability of independent information, particularly regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The German Foreign Office similarly condemned the decision, declaring that press freedom has become non-existent in Russia. A spokesperson from the foreign office confirmed ongoing support from the German embassy in Moscow for journalists and media professionals working for DW. However, when asked whether there would be any diplomatic repercussions such as summoning the Russian ambassador in Berlin, they declined to provide any further details. DW, which serves as Germany's international public broadcaster, is financed by taxpayer dollars while maintaining editorial independence. The broader context of this latest move is marked by a severe escalation in Russia's crackdown on dissent, journalists, and activists since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The list of organizations labeled as undesirable has expanded to encompass over 275 entities, including notable independent news outlets like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, esteemed think tanks such as Chatham House, the anti-corruption group Transparency International, and environmental advocacy organizations like WWF. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2