(Correction, 1st sentence, it should be correct: “After the reduction in the federal subsidy, the foreign broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) has to save 21 million euros this year.”)
BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – After the federal subsidy was cut, the foreign broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) has to save 21 million euros this year. The broadcasting council, administrative board and management decided on a comprehensive package of measures at a special meeting, as the broadcaster announced. Mathematically, around 160 full-time positions are affected. However, there are no plans for operational layoffs.
According to DW, the federal subsidy will decrease by 10 million euros to 415 million euros in 2026. At the same time, unbalanced tariff increases would result in additional costs of around 11 million euros. Among other things, the Greek-language offering will be discontinued and the journalistic portfolio in other languages will be reduced.
According to the statement, the chairman of the Broadcasting Council, Karl Jüsten, explained that DW must remain a “strong voice of freedom,” especially in restricted media markets such as Russia and Iran. However, significant losses in range are to be expected as a result of the cuts.
Deutsche Welle is aimed at a global audience
In addition to the discontinuation of the Greek offer, the budgets for Portuguese for Africa and for Dari and Pashto for Afghanistan will be cut, according to DW. Spanish-language television news is reduced outside of prime time.
Deutsche Welle is a federal institution under public law with headquarters in Bonn and Berlin. Its mission is to convey a realistic picture of Germany, promote international dialogue and strengthen democratic values. The program is aimed at a global audience in more than 30 languages - from Arabic to Hindi to Ukrainian./svv/DP/men