German government spokesperson: Deutsche Welle must be able to work freely and report independently in Turkey

German government spokesperson: Deutsche Welle must be able to work freely and report independently in Turkey

German Government Condemns Restrictions on Deutsche Welle in Turkey

The German government has reiterated its stance that Deutsche Welle (DW), the state-funded international broadcaster, must operate freely in Turkey amid escalating tensions between Ankara and foreign media outlets. A spokesperson for the German government stated that the detention of DW journalist Alican Uludag and the revocation of the broadcaster's operating license "undermine fundamental principles of press freedom".

Turkey's Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has enforced stringent licensing requirements for foreign media since August 2019, leading to the blocking of DW and Voice of America's (VOA) Turkish-language services in 2022 according to AP News. The regulator argued that unlicensed online media must comply with local broadcasting laws or face restrictions. DW and VOA rejected these requirements, citing concerns that compliance would grant Turkish authorities editorial control over their content as reported.

In March 2026, Turkey's Ministry of Industry and Technology declined to renew DW's operating license, citing unspecified procedural errors according to VOA News. This decision forced DW to close its Istanbul office, impacting over 10 journalists who will now work on a freelance basis. The broadcaster has announced plans to challenge the decision legally, though the financial and operational costs of prolonged litigation remain unclear.

The arrest of Uludag, a veteran DW correspondent, on charges of "insulting the president" and "disseminating misleading information" has intensified international scrutiny according to Reuters. German officials condemned the move as "intimidation," while media watchdogs warned of a broader crackdown on independent reporting ahead of Turkey's May elections as VOA News reported.

Turkey's media landscape has deteriorated significantly, with Reporters Without Borders ranking the country 149th out of 180 nations for press freedom according to AP News. Analysts note that the government's control over 90% of domestic media has increased reliance on foreign outlets like DW for uncensored reporting as VOA News reported.

The German government has called for dialogue with Turkish authorities to resolve the issue, emphasizing that press freedom is critical to bilateral relations. However, with RTÜK maintaining its position that foreign media must adhere to local regulations, the standoff highlights the growing financial and reputational risks for international media operating in Turkey.

AP News, Deutsche Welle blocks access to Turkish services: AP News, Deutsche Welle blocks access to Turkish services
VOA News, Germany's DW to close office in Turkey: VOA News, Germany's DW to close office in Turkey
Reuters, Journalist with Germany's Deutsche Welle detained in Turkey: Reuters, Journalist with Germany's Deutsche Welle detained in Turkey