Russia Expels German Journalists Amid Media Tensions

In a diplomatic standoff, Russia expelled two German journalists from its territory, claiming it was in retaliation for Germany's purported closure of a Russian state broadcaster's Berlin office. The German government denied these claims, emphasizing the freedom of Russian journalists in Germany.

On November 27, 2024, Russia announced the expulsion of two journalists linked to Germany’s public broadcaster, ARD, as tensions rise between Moscow and Berlin over accusations related to media operations. Russia asserted that this action was a response to what it claims was Germany's closure of the Russian state broadcaster Channel One's office in Berlin.

German officials swiftly rejected the allegation, clarifying that the closure of the Channel One bureau in Berlin had not occurred. They stated that the Russian journalists lost their residency permits and referred further inquiries to Berlin's local authorities, who did not respond to requests for information. Christian Wagner, spokesperson for the German foreign ministry, characterized the expulsions as “disproportionate,” asserting that Russian journalists on German soil could report without obstruction.

The controversy escalated during a broadcast from Channel One, where it was claimed that the Berlin bureau was ordered to "close down," leading to the expulsion of correspondent Ivan Blagoy and cameraman Dmitri Rodionov by early December. In retaliation, Russia’s foreign ministry announced that Frank Aischmann and Sven Feller would be expelled from Russia.

Despite expelling German journalists, Russian state-funded media channels continue to operate within Germany. Officials in Berlin have pointed towards a significant disinformation campaign targeting Russian-speaking communities, linking it to broader concerns regarding the Kremlin's influence on public opinion in Europe.

German diplomats have previously raised alarms about alleged media bias from Channel One, noting incidents like the 2016 controversy surrounding a fabricated story involving a Russian descent teenager in Germany. With ongoing conflicts stemming from the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russian media, this latest exchange underscores the escalating tensions and intricate relationship between Russian and German media outlets.