Russia Bans German Broadcaster Deutsche Welle

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced a ban on German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) on Thursday, effectively ending its work in Russia, closing its Moscow bureau, and revoking the accreditation of its journalists, Anna Ringle, Rachel More, and Ulf Mauder reported for Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa).

Photo Insert: Even the accreditation of Deutsche Welle's journalists in Russia were revoked.

DW vowed to lodge a legal challenge against the move and said it would continue its coverage undeterred.

"The measures of the Russian authorities are in no way comprehensible and a complete overreaction," said Peter Limbourg, director general of the German taxpayer-funded news broadcaster.

He said the Russian decision turned DW into "a pawn" in a way typical of autocratic states. “We protest fully against this absurd reaction of the Russian government and will take legal action against the announced measures," Limbourg added.

The broadcaster vowed to continue its work from the Moscow bureau until it was formally informed of the measures beyond the ministry's announcement. "Even if we eventually have to close it down, this would not affect our coverage of Russia. On the contrary, we would significantly strengthen coverage," the DW boss said.

Moscow's move came in swift retaliation for a decision on Wednesday by the Commission for Licensing and Supervision (ZAK), the agency responsible for regulating media outlets in Germany, banning Russian state-owned TV channel RT DE from broadcasting in the country due to its lack of a license.

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