Germany: Drastic funding reduction at public service broadcaster DW undermines media pluralism

At its meeting in Paris from 4 to 7 May, the Congress of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) supported a declaration ー initiated by dju (Deutsche Journalistinnen und Journalisten Union) in ver.di in Germany and the Union of Journalists of Athens Daily Newspapers (JUADN) in Greece ー condemning the drastic reduction in staffing and programming at Germany's public service broadcaster, Deutsche Welle (DW). The IFJ has warned that reducing funding for public service media undermines media pluralism and the right of citizens to seek and receive information.

Credit: Ina Fassbender / AFP.

The Deutsche Welle is Germany's public service broadcaster, providing independent news and information services in 32 languages to around 291 million people worldwide through television, radio and the internet.

Following the German federal government's decision to cut DW's funding by €10 million in 2026, the management of the international public broadcaster adopted on 18 February a drastic cost-cutting plan of €21 million: this will have devastating consequences. Over 200 full-time positions are set to be cut, primarily affecting more than 500 staff on fixed-term contracts and 1,784 freelancers. DW's programming will also be significantly impacted: its Greek-language service, which has been running for over 60 years, will be shut down, and cuts are planned for programmes in Spanish, Arabic and Portuguese. The broadcaster also announced it will restructure its German-language services, by merging DW German with DW Learn German.

The United Services Union (ver.di) in Germany has criticised the government for its drastic programme and staff cuts. Christoph Schmitz-Dethlefsen, ver.di Executive Board member, said: "With the permanent cancellation of the Greek programme, serious cuts to other language programmes, [...] and the elimination of more than 160 full-time equivalent positions, the quality and diversity of the programming are being severely curtailed. [...] Furthermore, voices that can support democratic forces worldwide will become significantly quieter. Given the global rise of authoritarian forces and regimes, this is the wrong signal being sent by the German government."

In March, the board of directors of the Athens-based JUADN wrote to Germany's Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as other officials, to protest against DW's decision to abolish its Greek-language service in 2027. The union is encouraging its members, as well as journalists and others concerned about the closure of the Greek-language services, to sign an open letter to German Minister for Culture and Media, Wolfram Weimer, aimed at revoking the decision.

JUADN President and member of the IFJ's Executive Committee, Maria Antoniadou, said: "The decision to discontinue Deutsche Welle's Greek-language service, effective January 1, 2027, is both shocking and unacceptable, as it entails serious labour and cultural consequences. In times of political tension, DW has been far more than a conventional media outlet, by contributing to the preservation of public dialogue and transcending considerations of audience size or financial performance. We express our solidarity and support for those who will be directly affected, as more than 200 full-time positions are expected to be eliminated. Beyond representing a significant loss for the global Greek-speaking audience, this decision constitutes a serious blow to media pluralism, undermining the fundamental right of the public to access diverse and independent sources of information."

IFJ Secretary General Anthony Bellanger noted: "We are appalled by the severe cuts to programming and staffing at Deutsche Welle and urge the German federal government to halt the cost-cutting programme and ensure that the broadcaster receives sufficient funding. At a time when journalists face growing intimidation and censorship worldwide, the role of public service media in providing impartial and reliable information that respects journalistic ethics is more important than ever. Defending public service media lies at the heart of the IFJ's efforts to protect pluralism and democracy."