Television and radio company Deutsche Welle commented on the measures of the Russian authorities. They seem incomprehensible and excessive to them, said CEO Peter Limbur.
The company intends to challenge the measures announced by Moscow. Deutsche Welle will continue to operate a bureau in Russia until a notice of work ban. If broadcasting ceases, the broadcaster will step up its coverage of events in Russia, the statement said.
The German Union of Journalists, in turn, called on the German government to protest loudly “act of censorship” from the Russian side. They considered Moscow’s decision a restriction of press freedom.
Earlier, the media regulator in Germany banned the broadcasting of RT DE. Russia’s response followed soon. The Moscow office of Deutsche Welle will be closed, and the accreditations of all employees will be cancelled.