Overview
- The Rundfunkrat voted unanimously Friday to continue the Greek-language service from January 1, 2027 in a reduced form after an earlier February decision to close it.
- DW confirmed the service will operate with about €400,000 a year going forward, down from roughly €700,000 in 2026, as part of broader savings measures.
- The reversal followed wide protests and political interventions, including reports that Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis raised the issue with German chancellor Friedrich Merz.
- The change reflects pressure on DW after a €10 million cut in federal subsidies and a roughly €21 million internal savings target driven by tariff and wage costs.
- About 22 journalists work in the Greek desk, which will face reduced output and hours, and the decision highlights tensions over how state-funded foreign broadcasting balances budget limits with diplomatic and cultural roles.