According to Russian media reports, the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office has classified Deutsche Welle (DW), the international broadcaster of the German public broadcaster, as an “undesirable organization.” The Russian parliament, the Duma, requested this classification in August last year.
DW joins several other media organizations, NGOs and foundations that have already received the “undesirable organization” label, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Bellingcat, CORRECTIV, Reporters Without Borders and TV Rain.
Under current Russian law, designation as an “undesirable organization” makes any cooperation with such an organization a criminal offense, punishable by heavy fines or even prison sentences. Even sharing content from such organizations, even on social media, is illegal.
“That won’t intimidate us.”
DW’s general director, Barbara Massing, said the Russian authorities’ move was another sign that the Kremlin wanted to end freedom of expression in the country. “Russia may call us an undesirable organization, but that will not intimidate us,” he said in a statement.
“This latest attempt to silence free media highlights the Russian regime’s blatant disregard for press freedom and reveals its fear of its own citizens, those who seek information, think critically and are eager to learn. DW will remain steadfast in disseminating journalistic content and allowing people to form their own opinions,” Massing said.
Growing pressure on DW in Russia
Over the last three years, DW has increasingly felt the impact of the Kremlin’s crackdown on all foreign-funded organizations and media.
DW has been considered a “foreign agent” in the country since March 2022 and had previously faced a broadcasting ban. His studio in Moscow was closed and had to be relocated. And DW’s website was blocked across Russia in all languages.
However, DW Russian reached around 10 million weekly users in 2025, primarily through video content and the use of tools to circumvent censorship, such as the Tor browser, VPN access or the DW application. “Despite the censorship and blocking of our services by the Russian government, DW’s Russian-language offering now reaches more people than ever before,” said Massing. “We will continue to report independently on the war of aggression against Ukraine and other issues about which there is little information in Russia. So that people can form their own opinions,” he added.
(lgc)
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