Authorities in Moscow have accused Germany of shutting down the Berlin bureau of Russia’s state broadcaster, Channel One, citing national security concerns. However, German officials have refuted these claims, suggesting the issue pertains to residence rights rather than media restrictions.
Channel One correspondent Ivan Blagoi reported that he and a cameraman, Dmitry Volkov, have been ordered to leave Germany by mid-December. According to a document allegedly issued by German authorities, the decision claims Channel One poses a “significant and direct threat to German and EU public order and security” due to its influence on public opinion.
Media Influence and Allegations
Channel One has been accused of promoting narratives that foster distrust among Russian-speaking migrants in Germany toward EU institutions. The broadcaster’s reporting on sensitive topics, such as the arrest of a German citizen in Russia on sabotage charges, has drawn scrutiny.
Despite these accusations, Germany’s Federal Foreign Office spokesman Christian Wagner dismissed the allegations of bureau closure, asserting that Russian journalists remain free to report in Germany. Wagner emphasized that the claims appear linked to residence rights rather than censorship.
Tit-for-Tat Diplomacy
In response to the alleged closure, Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced the expulsion of two employees of Germany’s ARD public broadcaster. Moscow stated that new accreditations for ARD staff would only be considered if Channel One’s operations in Berlin were fully restored. Berlin strongly condemned this move.
Ongoing Media Tensions
This development follows a series of media disputes between the two countries. In 2021, Germany successfully lobbied to block the German-language version of Russia’s RT broadcaster from European satellite networks, leading to the closure of Deutsche Welle’s Moscow bureau as a retaliatory measure.
