News|Russia-Ukraine warRussia lists German broadcaster Deutsche Welle as ‘undesirable’Moscow says the label means any form of cooperation with the broadcaster will be prosecuted.

Russia Declares Deutsche Welle an "Undesirable Organisation"

On Tue, Oct 24, 2023, Russia placed Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) on its list of “undesirable organisations,” effectively prohibiting its operations within the country. The designation was officially listed in a Ministry of Justice register, following statements by Vasily Piskarev, head of the Russian parliament’s Commission for the Investigation of Foreign Interference in Russia’s Internal Affairs, who described DW as a proponent of anti-Russian propaganda.

The “undesirable” status signifies that any collaboration with DW may lead to prosecution under Russian law. The legal framework stipulates prison sentences of up to five years for financing such activities and six years for organizing them. Russia frequently applies this designation to entities it perceives as threats to its constitutional order or national security.

Prior to this, DW was labeled a “foreign agent,” a term often applied to critics of Russian governance and policies. This classification further restricts the operations and collaborations of the broadcaster within Russia.

DW Director General Barbara Massing stated that the broadcaster remains committed to delivering independent news coverage. Despite censorship efforts, DW’s Russian-language service continues to reach a growing audience.

The German government condemned the decision, with spokesperson Stefan Kornelius asserting it reflects Moscow’s apprehension regarding independent media coverage, especially concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Federal Foreign Office emphasized the diminishing press freedom in Russia.

Despite restrictions, DW assured that Russian audiences can still access its reporting through alternative browsers or VPNs. The broadcaster noted that its Russian-language content has reached 10 million weekly viewers, highlighting the significant demand for independent information.

The declaration followed accusations from Germany of a Russian cyberattack targeting its air traffic control system and the dissemination of disinformation. Russia refuted these allegations. Additionally, Germany's Bundestag experienced a major email outage, attributed to a Russian cyberattack by German officials.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.